Volume recombination and opacity in Alcator C-Mod divertor plasmas

Abstract

Volume recombination within the Alcator C-Mod [I. H. Hutchinson et al., Phys. Plasmas 1, 1511 (1994)] divertor plasma is measured and found to be a significant fraction of the total ion sink under detached divertor conditions. The recombination occurs in regions where Te∼1 eV and ne∼1021 m−3. Measurements of the spatial distribution of the recombination are presented. The determinations of the recombination rates are made by measuring the D0 Balmer spectrum and by using a collisional radiative model describing the level populations, ionization, and recombination of D0. The concept of “recombinations per Balmer series photon” is developed to simplify the determinations. Measurements of the opacity of Lyβ emission are presented. It is observed that up to 50% of the Lyβ emission is trapped, indicating that Lyα is strongly trapped in some cases. The effects of Lyα,β trapping on the “recombinations per photon” curves are calculated and considered in the recombination rate determinations. Observations indicating the presence of molecular activated recombination are discussed.