Fast ion beta limit measurements by collimated neutron detection in MST plasmas

POSTER

Abstract

Fast ion orbits in the reversed field pinch (RFP) are well ordered and classically confined despite magnetic field stochasticity generated by multiple tearing modes. Classical TRANSP modeling of a 1MW tangentially injected hydrogen neutral beam in MST deuterium plasmas predicts a core-localized fast ion density that can be up to 25{\%} of the electron density and a fast ion beta of many times the local thermal beta. ~However, neutral particle analysis of an NBI-driven mode (presumably driven by a fast ion pressure gradient) shows mode-induced transport of core-localized fast ions and a saturated fast ion density. The TRANSP modeling is presumed valid until the onset of the beam-driven mode and gives an initial estimate of the volume-averaged fast ion beta of 1-2{\%} (local core value up to 10{\%}). A collimated neutron detector for fusion product profile measurements will be used to determine the spatial distribution of fast ions, allowing for a first measurement of the critical fast-ion pressure gradient required for mode destabilization. Testing/calibration data and initial fast-ion profiles will be presented. Characterization of both the local and global fast ion beta will be done for deuterium beam injection into deuterium plasmas for comparison to TRANSP predictions.

*Work supported by US DOE

Authors

  • William Capecchi

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
    • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Jay Anderson

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Phillip Bonofiglo

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Jungha Kim

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Stephanie Sears

    • Univ of Wisconsin, Madison