Overview of the C-2W Experimental Diagnostic Systems

In TAE Technologies’ current experimental device, C-2W (also called “Norman”),\footnote{H. Gota et al., Nucl. Fusion \textbf{59}, 112009 (2019).} record breaking, advanced beam-driven field reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas are produced and sustained in steady state utilizing variable energy neutral beams (15 – 40 keV, total power up to 20 MW), advanced divertors, end bias electrodes, and an active plasma control system. Combining unmatched operating capabilities with a unique diagnostic suite,\footnote{M.C. Thompson et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. \textbf{89}, 10K114 (2018).} the C-2W machine represents the world’s premier venue for studying fast ion-dominated FRC plasmas. The C-2W diagnostic suite has been fully leveraged to quantify and explore a newly emerged high-performance plasma regime. The suite consists of 20 separate categories of diagnostics with a total of 50+ individual systems all producing data for every plasma shot. The synthesis of the data produced by these systems coupled with sophisticated analysis and advanced reconstruction techniques lead to a comprehensive understanding of C-2W plasmas.