Results obtained using the pellet charge exchange diagnostic on TFTR

Abstract

Experiments are underway on TFTR to measure the confined alpha particle distribution functions using small low-Z pellets injected into the plasma [Fisher et al. Fusion Technol. 13, 536 (1988)]. Upon entering the plasma, the pellet ablates, forming a plasma ablation cloud, elongated in the magnetic field direction, that travels alongside the pellet. A small fraction of the fusion produced 3.5 MeV alpha particles incident on the cloud are converted to helium neutrals. By measuring the resultant helium neutrals escaping from the plasma by means of a mass and energy resolving charge exchange analyzer, the energy distribution of the alpha particles incident on the cloud can be inferred. Preliminary experiments to observe neutrals from the 100 to 1000 keV 3He tail produced during ICRF minority heating experiments were successful. However, no significant alpha particle signals have been observed during D-T operation on TFTR. We attribute this lack of signal to stochastic toroidal field ripple loss in the outer regions of the plasma. We are studying ways to improve the pellet penetration so that the pellet penetrates into the central regions of the plasma where ripple induced losses are small and the alpha population is high.