Thomson scattering diagnostics in the Globus-M tokamak

Abstract

Specific features of the Thomson scattering diagnostics, its main characteristics and capabilities, and the results of its experimental testing in the Globus-M tokamak are described. A powerful multipulse neodymium-glass laser is designed for investigating both fast and slow processes in the tokamak plasma. The laser is capable of generating up to 20 pulses uniformly distributed in time during one tokamak discharge. In order to investigate fast transient processes, the laser repetition rate can be increased within a specified time interval. The possibility of varying the time interval between laser pulses from 0.5 ms to 1.0 s makes this diagnostics highly informative. The optical scheme developed in the course of these studies allowed one to simplify the power supply system and create a comparatively inexpensive laser system. The use of avalanche photodiodes and filtering polychromators with a high optical transparency provides high sensitivity of the diagnostics. A special software was designed that allows automatic processing of several hundred signals during one shot and provides data on the electron density and temperature immediately in the course of measurements. The diagnostics allows one to trace the time behavior of the spatial profiles of the electron temperature and density in both ohmic discharges and discharges with auxiliary heating, as well as in experiments with particle injection with a plasma gun.