Experimental study of sheath potential coefficient in the J-TEXT tokamak

Abstract

Sheath potential coefficient α is a key parameter, which is used to estimate plasma potential () for edge plasma physics study. Recently, a series of experiments has been carried out under hydrogen plasmas in the J-TEXT tokamak with swept probe, which is employed for current–voltage (I–V) characteristic measurement. Electron temperature is evaluated from I–V curve by three-parameter fitting method, and the electron energy probability function shows that electron distribution is Maxwellian both outside and inside of last closed flux surface (LCFS). Plasma potential is obtained by crossing point between I–V exponential fitting curve and electron saturation current extrapolating line, which is in good agreement with first derivative probe technique. The α coefficient profile in the vicinity of the LCFS is obtained, which is in the range of 2.1–3, and decreases from outside to inside of LCFS.