Feasibility of a Heavy Ion Beam Probe for W7-X

A feasibility study of a Heavy Ion Beam Probe (HIBP) diagnostic for the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) superconducting stellarator, incorporating the accelerator and energy analyzer (currently in Greifswald) from the 2 MeV TEXT-U HIBP, is being carried out. The study's results are positive: beam trajectory simulations in the W7-X standard magnetic configuration, with central densities up to 10$^{\mathrm{20}}$ m$^{\mathrm{-3}}$, predict that it will be possible to measure the equilibrium plasma potential and E$_{\mathrm{r}}$ at all radii, and simultaneously measure temporally and spatially resolved fluctuations of n$_{\mathrm{e}}$ and potential for $r/a$ \textgreater 0.5. This will provide a unique capability to advance understanding of neoclassical and turbulent particle and energy transport in W7-X. Within this feasibility study, the beam is injected and detected through the K11 and N11 ports respectively, and the toroidal magnetic field is in the '$+\varphi $' direction. Additional beam simulations reveal that most radii can be accessed in 7 other paradigm magnetic configurations. It's anticipated that electrostatic beam steering suitable for studying all these configurations is plausible; it will have plate dimensions comparable to TEXT-U's with smaller electric fields and higher voltages. Initial estimates of anticipated heat load from the W7-X plasma on the steering systems indicate it will be significant, but tractable. Our conclusion from these studies is that an HIBP diagnostic for W7-X is feasible. This work is supported by US DoE Award DE-SC0013918.