Internal Magnetic Fluctuations Research Articles

New millimeter-wave diagnostics to locally probe internal density and magnetic field fluctuations in National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (invited).

A set of new millimeter-wave diagnostics will deliver unique measurement capabilities for National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade to address a variety of plasma instabilities believed to be important in determining thermal and particle transport, such as micro-tearing, global Alfvén eigenmodes, kinetic ballooning, trapped electron, and electron temperature gradient modes. These diagnostics include a new integrated intermediate-k Doppler backscattering (DBS) and cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system (four channels, 82.5-87GHz) to measure density and magnetic fluctuations, respectively. The system can access reasonably large normalized wavenumbers kθρs ranging from ≤0.5 to 15 (where ion sound gyroradius ρs = 1cm and kθ is the binormal density turbulence wavenumber). The system addresses the challenges for making useful DBS/CPS measurements with a remote control of launch polarization (X- or O-mode), probed wavenumber, polarization match of the launch beam with the edge magnetic field pitch angle, and beam steering of the launched beam for wave-vector alignment. In addition, a low-k DBS system consisting of eight fixed frequencies (34-52GHz) and four tunable frequencies (55-75GHz) for low-k density turbulence and fast ion physics will be located at a nearby port location. The combined systems cover the near LCFS and pedestal regions (34-52GHz), the pedestal or mid-radius (50-75GHz), and core plasmas (82.5-87GHz).

Design of radial interferometer-polarimeter for internal magnetic and density fluctuation measurements at multiple space-time scales in the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U).

A Faraday-effect radial interferometer-polarimeter is designed for the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) to measure multiscale magnetic and density fluctuations critical to understanding fusion plasma confinement and stability, including those originating from magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, energetic particle-driven modes, and turbulence. The diagnostic will utilize the three-wave technique with 5MHz bandwidth to simultaneously measure line-integrated magnetic and density fluctuations up to the ion-cyclotron frequency. Probe beams will be launched radially from the low-field side at the NSTX-U midplane, where the measured Faraday fluctuations mainly correspond to radial magnetic fluctuations that directly link to magnetic transport. A correlation technique will be employed to reduce the measurement noise to below 0.01° enabling detection of small amplitude fluctuations. Two toroidally displaced chords with 7° separation will be installed to measure toroidal mode numbers up to n = 25 for mode identification. Solid-state microwave sources operating at 321μm (935GHz) will be used to minimize the impact of the Cotton-Mouton effect.

Modeling and experimental studies of degaussing hysteresis in near-zero magnetic shielding systems

Near-zero magnetic shielding systems (MSSs) can provide basic experimental environments for extremely weak magnetic measurements. Reducing the internal magnetic field of MSS is the crucial element of high-sensitivity measurements, which is related to the shielding material flux. As an effective way to regulate the material remanence, degaussing reconstructs the magnetic balance with the geomagnetic field. However, previous research studies mainly focused on the optimization of material degaussing, with few considering the practical application scenarios of MSS. In this work, a numerical modeling method is proposed to realistically depict the balancing process, and the mapping relationship between the internal magnetic field of the MSS and the degaussing current is established. First, the magnetic field source analysis is carried out, and the internal magnetic field fluctuations of the MSS during degaussing are decomposed into multi-harmonic components. Then, the phase and amplitude changes of the hysteresis loop are simulated to predict the residual field. Thereafter, the effectiveness of the method is verified by a magnetic shielding cylinder. The experimental results indicate that the slight difference in material remanence has a negligible effect on the residual field. This work has potential application value in the research of degaussing technology.

Polarimeter–interferometer diagnostic using terahertz solid-state sources for fluctuation measurements on Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX)

A multi-channel polarimeter–interferometer has been developed on the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX) for the study of equilibrium dynamics and internal magnetic fluctuations. A three-wave technique based on terahertz solid-state sources (~650 GHz) is applied for simultaneous measurements of electron density and Faraday rotation angle. The output power of the microwave source is 2 mW. Faraday rotation effect using a rotating wave plate is tested with phase noise less than 0.8°, and the density phase noise is less than 0.9°. Measurement of Faraday rotation angle and density for discharges on KTX have demonstrated high sensitivity to internal MHD activities.

Pedestal magnetic turbulence measurements in ELMy H-mode DIII-D plasmas by Faraday-effect polarimetry

Internal magnetic fluctuation measurements are utilized to identify turbulence associated with micro-tearing modes (MTM) in the DIII-D Edge-Localized-Mode (ELM)-y H-mode pedestal. Using a Faraday-effect polarimeter, magnetic turbulence (150–500 kHz) is directly observed with a typical line-averaged fluctuation amplitude of ∼0.8 G at peak frequency (250 kHz) and ∼15 G integrated over the spectrum from 150 to 500 kHz. Frequency, poloidal wavenumber, and propagation direction of the magnetic turbulence all serve to identify as MTM. Magnetic turbulence amplitude non-monotonically correlates with collision frequency, peaks off mid-plane, and correlates with electron temperature gradient evolution between ELMs, consistent with MTM features identified from theory and gyro-kinetic simulation. The magnetic turbulence growth correlates with confinement degradation in ELMy H-mode plasmas during a slow density ramp. These internal measurements provide unique constraints toward developing physics understanding and validating models of the H-mode pedestal for future devices.

Dynamics of a Magnetic Needle Magnetometer: Sensitivity to Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert Damping.

An analysis of a single-domain magnetic needle (MN) in the presence of an external magnetic field B is carried out with the aim of achieving a high-precision magnetometer. We determine the uncertainty ΔB of such a device due to Gilbert dissipation and the associated internal magnetic field fluctuations that give rise to diffusion of the MN axis direction n and the needle orbital angular momentum. The levitation of the MN in a magnetic trap and its stability are also analyzed.

Simultaneous measurement of magnetic and density fluctuations via cross-polarization scattering and Doppler backscattering on the DIII-D tokamak.

An upgraded cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for the simultaneous measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations B̃ and density fluctuations ñ is presented. The system has eight radial quadrature channels acquired simultaneously with an eight-channel Doppler backscattering system (measures density fluctuations ñ and flows). 3-D ray tracing calculations based on the GENRAY ray tracing code are used to illustrate the scattering and geometric considerations involved in the CPS implementation on DIII-D. A unique quasi-optical design and IF electronics system allow direct comparison of B̃ and ñ during dynamic or transient plasma events (e.g., Edge Localized Modes or ELMs, L to H-mode transitions, etc.). The system design allows the interesting possibility of both magnetic-density (B̃-ñ) fluctuation and magnetic-temperature (B̃-T̃) fluctuation cross-phase measurements suitable for detailed tests of turbulence simulations.

Measurement of local, internal magnetic fluctuations via cross-polarization scattering in the DIII-D tokamak (invited).

We present new measurements of internal magnetic fluctuations obtained with a novel eight channel cross polarization scattering (CPS) system installed on the DIII-D tokamak. Measurements of internal, localized magnetic fluctuations provide a window on an important physics quantity that we heretofore have had little information on. Importantly, these measurements provide a new ability to challenge and test linear and nonlinear simulations and basic theory. The CPS method, based upon the scattering of an incident microwave beam into the opposite polarization by magnetic fluctuations, has been significantly extended and improved over the method as originally developed on the Tore Supra tokamak. A new scattering geometry, provided by a unique probe beam, is utilized to improve the spatial localization and wavenumber range. Remotely controllable polarizer and mirror angles allow polarization matching and wavenumber selection for a range of plasma conditions. The quasi-optical system design, its advantages and challenges, as well as important physics validation tests are presented and discussed. Effect of plasma beta (ratio of kinetic to magnetic pressure) on both density and magnetic fluctuations is studied and it is observed that internal magnetic fluctuations increase with beta. During certain quiescent high confinement operational regimes, coherent low frequency modes not detected by magnetic probes are detected locally by CPS diagnostics.

Faraday-effect polarimeter diagnostic for internal magnetic field fluctuation measurements in DIII-D.

Motivated by the need to measure fast equilibrium temporal dynamics, non-axisymmetric structures, and core magnetic fluctuations (coherent and broadband), a three-chord Faraday-effect polarimeter-interferometer system with fast time response and high phase resolution has recently been installed on the DIII-D tokamak. A novel detection scheme utilizing two probe beams and two detectors for each chord results in reduced phase noise and increased time response [δb ∼ 1G with up to 3 MHz bandwidth]. First measurement results were obtained during the recent DIII-D experimental campaign. Simultaneous Faraday and density measurements have been successfully demonstrated and high-frequency, up to 100 kHz, Faraday-effect perturbations have been observed. Preliminary comparisons with EFIT are used to validate diagnostic performance. Principle of the diagnostic and first experimental results is presented.

Measurement of the internal magnetic fluctuation by the transport of runaways on J-TEXT.

The measurement of internal magnetic fluctuation is important for the study of transport in tokamak plasmas. The runaway electron transport induced by the sawtooth crash can be used to obtain the internal magnetic fluctuation. Inversed sawtooth-like activities on hard x-ray (HXR) fluxes following sawtooth activities were observed after the application of electrode biasing on J-TEXT tokamak. The runaway diffusion coefficient Dr is deduced to be about 30 m2/s according to the time delay of HXR flux peaks to the sawtooth crashes. The averaged value of normalized magnetic fluctuation in the discharges with electrode biasing was increased to the order of 1 × 10-4.

Development of a cross-polarization scattering system for the measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations in the DIII-D tokamak.

The design and performance of a new cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for the localized measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations is presented. CPS is a process whereby magnetic fluctuations scatter incident electromagnetic radiation into a perpendicular polarization which is subsequently detected. A new CPS design that incorporates a unique scattering geometry was laboratory tested, optimized, and installed on the DIII-D tokamak. Plasma tests of signal-to-noise, polarization purity, and frequency response indicate proper functioning of the system. CPS data show interesting features related to internal MHD perturbations known as sawteeth that are not observed on density fluctuations.

Growth and decay of runaway electrons above the critical electric field under quiescent conditions

Extremely low density operation free of error field penetration supports the excitation of trace-level quiescent runaway electron (RE) populations during the flat-top of DIII-D Ohmic discharges. Operation in the quiescent regime allows accurate measurement of all key parameters important to RE excitation, including the internal broadband magnetic fluctuation level. RE onset is characterized and found to be consistent with primary (Dreicer) generation rates. Impurity-free collisional suppression of the RE population is investigated by stepping the late-time main-ion density, until RE decay is observed. The transition from growth to decay is found to occur 3–5 times above the theoretical critical electric field for avalanche growth and is thus indicative of anomalous RE loss. This suggests that suppression of tokamak RE avalanches can be achieved at lower density than previously expected, though extrapolation requires predictive understanding of the RE loss mechanism and magnitude.

Far-infrared polarimetry diagnostic for measurement of internal magnetic field dynamics and fluctuations in the C-MOD Tokamak (invited)

A laser-based (2.55 THz) mulitchord polarimeter is now operational on Alcator C-Mod and is used to make measurements of the internal magnetic field structure as well as plasma fluctuations. The polarimeter is designed to measure the Faraday effect for high-field (up to 8.3 T) and high-density (up to 5 × 10(20) m(-3)) ITER relevant plasma conditions. Initial 3 chord tests are consistent with magnetic equilibrium reconstructions and indicate no measurable contamination from the toroidal magnetic field due to the Cotton-Mouton effect or misalignment. Time response of <1 μs enables the measurement of fast equilibrium temporal dynamics as well as high-frequency fluctuations.

Measurement of Spatiotemporal Behavior of Alfvén-Ion-Cyclotron Waves in the GAMMA10 Tandem Mirror

Spatiotemporal behavior of Alfven-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves excited in GAMMA10 is investigated using a microwave reflectometer and magnetic probes located at the edge. The frequency spectrum of the AIC waves has several discrete peaks. Simultaneous measurement of the internal density fluctuation and edge magnetic fluctuation of AIC waves shows that AIC waves have different radial structures in the initial excitation phase, but in the later steady state, each of them has the same structure in the radial direction. The results indicate that several AIC waves are excited as the same eigenmode in the radial direction.

Runaway electrons as a diagnostic of plasma internal magnetic fluctuations

The transport of runaway electrons in a high-temperature plasma is relatively easy to measure in a steady state experiment and a perturbation experiment, which provides runaway electron diffusion coefficient Dr. This diffusion coefficient is determined by internal magnetic fluctuations, so it can be interpreted in terms of a magnetic fluctuation level. The internal magnetic fluctuation level (r/BT) is estimated to be about (2–4)×−4 in the HL-1M plasma. The results presented here demonstrate the effectiveness of using runaway electron transport techniques to determine internal magnetic fluctuations. A profile of magnetic fluctuation level in the HL-1M plasma can be estimated from Dr.

Internal magnetic fluctuation in the HL-1M tokamak

The transport of runaway electrons in hot plasma can be comparatively easily measured by steady state or perturbation experiments, which provide runaway electron diffusivity Dr. The runaway diffusion coefficient has been obtained using four methods: (1) Dr is deduced from Plasma shift experiment; (2) Dr is deduced from its sawteeth oscillations behaviors of HXR flux and of SXR intensity; (3) Dr is deduced from microwave radiation intensity sawtoothing behaviors; (4) Dr is deduced from hard-X-ray bremsstrahlung spectra. The diffusivity can be interpreted in terms of a magnetic fluctuation level. The internal magnetic fluctuations level (b～r/BT) is estimated to be about (2—4)×10-4 in the HL-1M plasma. The results presented here demonstrate the effectiveness of using runaway transport techniques for determining internal magnetic fluctuations. A profile of the magnetic fluctuation level in the HL-1M can be estimated from Dr.

Laser Faraday rotation measurement of current density fluctuations and electromagnetic torque (invited)

Far-infrared laser polarimetry with time response up to ∼1 μs and spatial resolution ∼8 cm has been successfully implemented on the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch. Internal magnetic field and current density fluctuations are nonperturbatively measured. This is accomplished by taking parallel polarimetry chords which measure the line-integrated magnetic field fluctuations via Faraday rotation. With suitable analysis we are able to obtain information on spatial profiles of magnetic field fluctuations and current density fluctuations. Coherent interaction between these fluctuations is also measured and observed to generate an electromagnetic fluctuation-induced torque 〈δJ×δB〉.

Measurement of internal magnetic field fluctuations in a reversed-field pinch by Faraday rotation.

Magnetic field fluctuations (and the associated current perturbation) have been measured in the core of a high-temperature reversed-field pinch using a newly developed fast-polarimetry system. Radial magnetic field fluctuation levels of approximately 1% are measured in standard-reversed-field pinch discharges which increase to approximately 4% during the sawtooth crash (enhanced dynamo). The fluctuation level is reduced fourfold for high-confinement plasmas where the core-resonant tearing modes are suppressed.

Internal magnetic fluctuations and electron heat transport in the Tore Supra tokamak: Observation by cross-polarization scattering

Magnetic fluctuations (radial size ≈ 5 mm) are measured by a cross polarization scattering (CPS) diagnostic in Tore Supra. In the scenario O + B̃ → X, only the poloidal component of the magnetic fluctuations is measured, while both the radial and the poloidal component are measured in the scenario X + B̃ → O. These fluctuations are investigated quantitatively in the ohmic and low confinement regimes over a wide range of plasma currents, densities and additional heating powers. At the same time, the electron heat diffusivities expected from these fluctuations are compared with those obtained by profile analysis. Three main results are obtained: (a) The radial profile of the poloidal magnetic fluctuations in the gradient region (0.3 < r/a < 0.7) is established from these measurements. The magnetic fluctuation levels are found to increase towards the plasma edge, and this feature is compatible with that of electron heat diffusivity. (b) A strong correlation between the measured magnetic turbulence and the local temperature gradient is observed during the additional heating. (c) The local electron heat diffusivity induced by magnetic fluctuations is estimated using the non-collisional quasi-linear formula χmage = πqRvth(δBr/B)2, where the radial component of the magnetic turbulence is assumed to be of the same order as the poloidal component. Both the order of magnitude and the parametric dependence of χmage show similarities with electron diffusivities determined by transport analysis. In particular, a threshold is observed for the dependence of fluctuation induced heat fluxes on the local temperature gradient, which is close to the critical gradient observed for the measured heat fluxes.

Measurement of magnetic fluctuations of electromagnetic plasma waves by cross-polarization scattering

The cross-polarization scattering (CPS) technique was applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror for measurements of internal magnetic fluctuations associated with waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequency. The CPS is related to the mode-conversion effect consisting of a polarization difference of a scattered wave with regard to an incident wave. In GAMMA 10, the incident ordinary (extraordinary) wave is transferred to the extraordinary (ordinary) wave by magnetic field fluctuations near the cutoff layer of a plasma. The transferred wave penetrates through the cutoff layer and is detected. The frequency spectra and density and magnetic field fluctuations of the waves are evaluated from the CPS diagnostic and reflectometry. The ratio of the magnetic field to density fluctuation level depends on the phase velocity of the slow Alfvén wave. The CPS data are also compared with those obtained from magnetic probes.