Development of a wide-range neutron flux monitoring system in EAST

Abstract

A wide measurement range for a neutron flux monitoring (NFM) system is developed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) for fusion neutron yield measurement, comprising an 3He proportional counter, a 235U fission chamber (FC), and a wide dynamic range signal-processing circuit. Two high-sensitivity 3He detectors operate in counting mode, which is suitable for low neutron yield (Yn) conditions with ohmic and radio-frequency heating of plasma. Two other FCs are adapted with newly developed digitizers, operating in counting and campbelling modes to satisfy the conditions of wide dynamic range measurement required by neutral beam injection (NBI) experiment. The anti-magnetic-field interference of the FC is examined using two permanent magnets, whose efficiency are calibrated with 2.46 MeV neutrons produced by a Van de Graaff accelerator. Furthermore, the NFM system is implemented in-situ calibration with a 252Cf neutron source and a remote handling. As a routine diagnostic, the NFM system is successful obtaining the fusion neutron yield for ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) and NBI heating performance evaluation in EAST plasma experiment.