Movable Probe Research Articles

Characterization of plasma parameters and neutral particles in microwave and radio frequency discharges in the Toroidal Magnetized System.

A characterization of plasma parameters and neutral particle energies and fluxes has been performed for radio frequency and microwave discharges in the Toroidal Magnetized System (TOMAS). A movable triple Langmuir probe was used to study the electron densities and temperatures, and a time-of-flight neutral particle analyzer was used to measure the energy and fluxes of neutral particles, as a function of the total injected power and the antenna frequency used to generate the plasma. The experimental results can provide information on the behavior of neutral particles at low energies in wall conditioning plasmas.

Study on the liquid metal flow transitions behind a circular cylinder under the axial magnetic field

We study the magnetohydrodynamic flow around a circular cylinder confined in a rectangular duct. In this configuration, both the circular cylinder and the walls of the rectangular duct are electrically insulating, while the magnetic field aligns with the axial direction of the cylinder. The experimental measurements are performed by controlling two parameters Re and N (N is the ratio of electromagnetic forces to inertial forces) in the ranges of (180–722) and (0.8–264), respectively. Utilizing the electrical potential method, we employ both movable and wall probes to obtain the local flow velocities in the wake of the cylinder. By analyzing the space correlation of the signals obtained from the wall probes, a distinct transition in the flow behavior is observed, transitioning from a three-dimensional state to a quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) state when the external magnetic field reaches a sufficient strength (N > 3). Additionally, the Q2D state allows for a further subdivision based on the scaling relationship Re/Ha∼(0.41–0.42) in the stability map, thereby distinguishing between steady and unsteady flow states, which is consistent with findings from previous studies.

Measurement of plasma parameters in the PBI using the Langmuir probe

When studying the processes of plasma interaction with the surface, there is a need to determine the exposure parameters and the installation operating modes. The goal of this work is to measure the plasma parameters on a plasma beam installation (PBI) using an automated probe diagnostics system developed by us.The plasma diagnostic and monitoring system at PBI is based on the use of a cylindrical Langmuir probe. The software has been developed for measuring, recording and processing the probe voltage characteristic (I-U curve) in real time and a movable probe input for measuring the radial distribution of the plasma parameters (plasma concentration, electronic temperature). The measurements were carried out under different operating modes of the PBI with a variation in the parameters of the accelerating voltage of the electron beam and the pressure of the working gas. The nature of changes in the plasma parameters in the radial direction in a hydrogen medium has been established. The obtained results are in good agreement with the similar work in the study of the plasma parameters in the radial direction at the linear plasma installations.The got dependences make it possible to analyze and establish a correspondence between the parameters of plasma action on materials and the nature of processes on their surface and in volume. The presented engineering idea will be proposed to complement the diagnostic complex of the plasma KTM tokamak.

Avalanche statistics of fluctuation-induced fluxes from the SLPM and the W7-AS stellarator

Measurements of fluctuating floating potentials and ion saturation currents at different radial locations in the Santander Linear Plasma Machine (Castellanos et al 2005 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 47 2067) and at the edge of the W7-AS stellarator by means of radially movable Langmuir probes allow to infer the corresponding fluctuation-induced radial flux temporal series. Avalanche-like transport events are identified in the time series and statistically characterized in terms of avalanche size/duration/quiet-time distributions and size-duration scaling relations. Transport is diffusive in the inner and intermediate radial region of the SLPM r<rtr≈2.6 cm, undergoing a transition at rtr , becoming non-diffusive in the outermost region of the device, r>rtr . The results obtained at the edge of the W7-AS stellarator are similar to those found in SLPM for r>rtr , i.e. consistent with what would be expected for scale-free, self-similar plasma transport dynamics near a critical state.

Plasma homogeneity over the extraction beamlet groups at the half size ITER negative ion source at ELISE test facility

The negative ion source for neutral beam injection at ITER has to provide high-intensity and low-divergence negative hydrogen and deuterium ion beams. Extracting the negative ions from the plasma is inevitably accompanied by co-extraction of electrons, which can limit the source performance, especially in deuterium. Reducing the co-extracted electrons is done by applying a magnetic filter field. On the one hand, the filter field reduces the electron temperature and the amount of co-extracted electrons, on the other hand, it introduces × B→ drifts. The drifts create a vertical plasma inhomogeneity in front of the extraction area and, consequently, an asymmetry of the co-extracted electrons. This motivated detailed studies on the vertical plasma inhomogeneity over the beamlet groups in the ELISE ion source using a movable Langmuir probe in deuterium plasma. It is demonstrated that the vertical distribution of the plasma potential changes together with the sheath, forming at the plasma grid – from electron repelling to attracting sheath. A repelling sheath reduces the flux of electrons from the plasma to the grid surface and consequently, more electrons are co-extracted. The attracting sheath collects the majority of electrons on the grid and reduces the co-extracted electrons.

Characterization of ECRH plasmas in TOMAS

To improve the plasma performance and control the density and plasma quality during the flat top phase, wall conditioning techniques are used in large fusion devices like W7-X and in JT60-SA. To study the performance of electron cyclotron wall conditioning, numerous experiments were performed on the TOroidally MAgnetized System, which is operated by LPP-ERM/KMS at the FZ-Jülich. It is a facility designed to study plasma production, wall conditioning, and plasma–surface interactions. The produced electron cyclotron resonance heating plasmas are characterized in various conditions by density and temperature measurements using a movable triple Langmuir probe in the horizontal and the vertical direction, complemented by video and spectroscopic data, to obtain a 2D extrapolation of the plasma parameters in the machine. A way to calibrate the triple Langmuir probe measurements is also investigated. These data can be used to determine the direction of the plasma drift in the vessel and identify the power absorption mechanisms. This will give more insight in the plasma behavior and improve the efficiency of wall conditioning and sample exposure experiments.

Study and development of diagnostic systems to characterise the extraction region in SPIDER

SPIDER, an RF-driven negative ion source in the Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF), serves as the prototype for ITER's neutral beam injector (NBI). It is composed of 8 drivers powered by 4 RF generators, aiming to accelerate 50 A of negative hydrogen ions to 100 KeV with a beam uniformity target of 10%. The experiment, launched in 2018, tested negative ion production using caesium. Results match those of similar facilities, but SPIDER faces challenges due to its size, multiple drivers, and non-uniform plasma expansion. These issues impact beam uniformity, preventing the machine from reaching expected performance. To address this, SPIDER initiated a significant shutdown at the end of 2021 for improvements.One the most important aspects studied during the first experimental campaign is source uniformity, addressed both in terms of plasma and of caesium distribution. The latter is particularly relevant since its quality is directly related to the beam uniformity and divergence. To have more insight about these issues, monitoring the plasma properties in the extraction region is crucial, hence in the present contribution, the design and development of two new diagnostic systems are described: a movable Langmuir probe and a Retarding Field Energy Analyser (RFEA).The first can provide a vertical scan of the main plasma parameters close to the plasma grid. The spatial resolution would improve with respect to the already installed set of fixed Langmuir probes embedded in the grid system, and the newly installed diagnostic could interact with other sensors to produce complementary measurements (namely, electron photo-detachment).The latter, instead, allows the monitoring of the positive ion energy distribution: positive ions, in fact, can be precursors of the negative ones produced at the caesiated surface, but also influence the energy of negative ion and their extraction probability and thus collecting information about their energy distribution allows inferring details about the extracted negative ion beam.The two diagnostics are designed focusing on the experimental constraint of integrating the diagnostics in a harsh and complex environment such as SPIDER plasma: a preliminary study of the placement inside the source is carried out, then the electrode of the movable probe and the RFEA sensor are sized according to the spatial and energy resolution requested by the system.

In vivo recordings in freely behaving mice using independent silicon probes targeting multiple brain regions.

In vivo recordings in freely behaving animals are crucial to understand the neuronal circuit basis of behavior. Although current multi-channel silicon probes provide unparalleled sampling density, the study of interacting neuronal populations requires the implantation of multiple probes across different regions of the brain. Ideally, these probes should be independently adjustable, to maximize the yield, and recoverable, to mitigate costs. In this work, we describe the implementation of a miniaturized 3D-printed headgear system for chronic in vivo recordings in mice using independently movable silicon probes targeting multiple brain regions. We successfully demonstrated the performance of the headgear by simultaneously recording the neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex and dorsal hippocampus. The system proved to be sturdy, ensuring high-quality stable recordings and permitted reuse of the silicon probes, with no observable interference in mouse innate behaviors.

All-Optical Tuning of Microbottle Resonator Assisted by a Movable Probe With Magnetic Nanoparticles

All-Optical Tuning of Microbottle Resonator Assisted by a Movable Probe With Magnetic Nanoparticles

Assessment of the spatial distribution of low-temperature plasma parameters on plasma-beam installation

At present continue, studies of the interaction of plasma with structural materials of the first wall and divertor of the ITER international experimental fusion reactor on operating tokamaks and simulated plasma facilities. In the research of the interaction of plasma with the surface of candidate materials TNR an important role plasma parameters play. For determination of local values of the main plasma parameters there is a separate field of research – plasma diagnostics. Plasma diagnostics is the determination of local and instantaneous values of main its parameters: concentration and temperature of charged plasma particles, as well as the distribution functions of various plasma components by energies.This works presents the results of a research to the spatial distribution of local parameters (temperature electrons (Te) and plasma concentration (ne)) of a low-temperature plasma on a plasma-beam installation (PBI) with the help a movable Langmuir probe with the following geometrical parameters of the electrode: length – 4 mm; diameter 0.5 mm. The probe sweep was with the help a Keithley 6487 picoammeter. The processing of volt-ampere characteristics (VAC) was carried out by standard methods.To assess the spatial distribution of the above-mentioned parameters of low-temperature plasma, experiments were carried out with the location of the probe at a distance of 5 mm, 9 mm and 11 mm from the center of the plasma beam at different energies of the primary electron beam in the range from 0.5 keV to 5 keV.The experiments results showed a smooth decrease in plasma concentration in the radial direction.

Application of a hyperspectral camera for in situ plasma-material interaction studies at the linear plasma device PSI-2.

A hyperspectral camera (HSC-type Specim IQ) has been applied at the linear plasma device PSI-2 under steady-state conditions. The camera has the capacity of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with the dimension of a data array 512 × 512 × 204 (x, y, λ) covering the spectral span from 400 to 1000nm with moderate average spectral resolution (FWHM ∼7nm). After radiometric calibration and background/continuum emission subtraction, two main applications of the camera, (i) plasma diagnostics in helium (He) plasmas and (ii) plasma-material interaction studies with tungsten (W) targets in neon (Ne) plasmas, have been carried out. The measurements were complemented by a movable Langmuir double probe system (LP) measuring electron temperature (Te) and electron density (ne) in radial direction r and a fiber-coupled cross-dispersion spectrometer with high spectral resolution (Spectrelle) recording neutral He, W, and Ne emission lines over the full plasma column. (i) Two-dimensional (2D) imaging of Te and ne radial profiles in axial direction z of the He plasma column were for the first time obtained by the regression analysis of Te and ne (from LP) and six He I line ratios (from HSC). The spatially resolved plasma parameters covered in these studies range between Te ∼ 0.8-13.4eV and ne ∼ 0.2 × 1018-3.9 × 1018m-3 and permit a reconstruction of the plasma conditions in PSI-2 in 2D without LP perturbation. (ii) W sputtering was studied in situ in Ne plasmas exposing W target samples (negatively biased at 100V) under perpendicular Ne plasma impact. Simultaneously, the 2D distributions of W (W I line at 429.5nm) in front of the target and the 2D Ne plasma distribution (Ne I line at 703.2nm) were recorded with complete spectral separation as confirmed by the Spectrelle spectrometer. This permits the simultaneous measurement of the neutral W penetration and its angular distribution induced in the sputtering process and of the impinging plasma distribution. The HSI technique offers, despite a few technical drawbacks, such as the moderate spectral resolution and poor time resolution, a new possibility to distinguish multiple emission lines from plasma and impurities and complements the portfolio of existing Optical Emission Spectroscopy techniques, providing a good compromise regarding spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution.

Probe experiment on basic plasma parameter investigation in a quasi-gasdynamic ion source GISMO

Plasma parameters in a 28 GHz gasdynamic continuous electron cyclotron resonance discharge (ECR) with a high volumetric energy input were investigated with a Langmuir probe. The knowledge of the dependencies of plasma density and temperature on external parameters is useful for tuning the ECR source to the desired mode of operation. The design features of the plasma chamber and the configuration of the magnetic field made it possible to use the approximation a non-magnetized flat probe to calculate the temperature and electron density at various gas pressures and power of the heating microwave. A movable tungsten probe was used, allowing for studying plasma parameters along the magnetic field at various distances from the plasma electrode. At high powers, the electron density in the plug turned out to be close to the cutoff density (about 10 13 cm − 3). A fraction of warm ( &amp;gt; 30 eV) electrons, appearing at high powers, was found, which explains the formation of a pure proton beam in a number of experiments at the same facility. The abrupt increase in the temperature of the warm fraction with power was also found, which makes it of great interest to perform experiments on a multi-charged ions production in heavy gases.

Design of an optimised movable electrostatic diagnostic for the investigation of plasma properties in a large negative ion source

This contribution describes the design of a movable Langmuir probe system to be permanently installed in the SPIDER negative ion source. This diagnostic aims at measuring the axial profiles of plasma density, electron temperature and floating potential in both the driver and the expansion region, with a view to further investigate the positive ion dynamics. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the plasma formation mechanism and of the RF coupling can be provided, e,g. via the estimation of the Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDF) inside the driver. Thermal analyses were performed to define both the allowable duration of the probe exposure to the plasma and the extent of the voltage sweep. The maximum exposure time for the probe shaft is 10 s, thus a fast manipulation system is included in the design. The integration in the SPIDER source is described, considering all the limitations due to the space availability, the presence of the RF generators and the vacuum-compatibility requirements. To comply with all the constraints, several solutions are proposed for the probe head design.

Study of the intermittent plasma structure around the divertor simulation experimental module in GAMMA 10/PDX

We have investigated the generation region of intermittent plasma structures, which could be due to the blob-like cross field transport around the divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) in the tandem mirror device GAMMA 10/PDX. A positive skewness of the ion saturation current was clearly seen when the electrode of the movable probe was located at the radial edge and just in front of the entrance limiter of the D-module. Fourier analysis and conditional averaging clarified that positive spikes intermittently appeared in the same region. This is the first indication that the phenomenon producing the high-density isolated plasma structures occurred in the upstream of the D-module. A negative skewness was also found, and large amplitude fluctuation was detected between regions showing positive and negative skewness. Furthermore, this and light emission fluctuations become stronger during the transient state from attached to detached state on the V-shaped target.

Isotope Effect for Plasma Detachment in Helium and Hydrogen/Deuterium Mixture Plasmas

To investigate the isotope effect on the plasma detachment in helium (He) and hydrogen (H)/deuterium (D) mixture plasmas, we performed H2, D2 or He gas puffing into He plasma in the linear plasma device NAGDIS-II. Axial distributions of electron density (ne) and electron temperature (Te) were obtained using a movable Langmuir probe. Additionally, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was applied to measure axial distributions of Balmer lines and He I lines. When the neutral gas pressure was high (ΔPn = 7 ∼10 mTorr), ne distribution in He-D2 mixture plasma was similar to that in pure He plasma, showing a sharp decrease at the downstream region where Te < 1 eV. In contrast, in He-H2 mixture plasma, a decrease in ne was confirmed from upstream region where Te > 1 eV. The upstream Hα/Hγ in He-H2 plasma was significantly larger than the Dα/Dγ in He-D2 plasma at the same Te. This result indicated that molecular activated recombination (MAR) processes significantly occurred in He-H2 plasma, while electron-ion recombination (EIR) processes were dominant in He-D2 and pure He plasmas.

Study on influence on plasma under current-generated magnetic filter using Langmuir probe in HUST negative ion source

The current-generated magnetic filter is widely used in negative ion sources to bring down electron temperature and optimize source operation. The effect of the current-generated magnetic filter on plasma generation and transport is important. The axial distribution of cesium-free plasma parameters under different magnetic filter configurations was measured by a movable Langmuir probe at HUST negative ion source. Abnormal changes of plasma parameters are discovered at the driver exit. When the magnetic filter field penetrates into the driver, plasma density inside the driver increase, and the high-density high-temperature region of plasma expands outside of the driver. And the radiofrequency power coupling is also influenced by the magnetic filter. These experimental phenomena indicate that a new magnetic filter configuration is required to optimize source operation.

Oxygen atom density in a large reactor powered by four inductively coupled plasma sources

Gradients in O-atom density in metallic plasma reactor useful for rapid surface activation of 3D polymer products have been measured. The reactor of a volume of 150 l was equipped with four inductively coupled plasma sources (ICPS) of (predominantly) oxygen atoms, parallelly coupled with a radio-frequency generator of adjustable power up to 5 kW at 13.56 MHz. Molecular oxygen was continuously introduced into the ICP sources, where it was dissociated upon plasma conditions. The constant pumping of the plasma reactor enabled the effective transfer of O-atoms from the ICP sources, so that their density remained high in the entire chamber even far from plasma sources. The O-atom density was measured across the reactor with a movable catalytic probe calibrated for oxygen. The sophisticated immersible design enabled the O-atom density to exceed 1021 m−3 in the major chamber volume at the pressure of 20 Pa. At this pressure, a uniform plasma in the H-mode was sustained at the total real RF power of 1800 W. Significant gradients in the O-atom density were only detected next to ICP sources' exhausts and in the main chamber's metallic side tubes. Such uniform distribution of O-atoms in a large reactor is advantageous for rapid surface activation of 3D polymer products.

Study of detached plasma profile in the divertor simulation experimental module of tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX

A divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) in the tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX was used for the study of plasma detachment. In previous studies, it was difficult to measure far-upstream plasma parameters in the D-module, and only electrostatic probes on the target plate were used to perform electron temperature and density measurements. To study the detached plasma structure, a Thomson scattering (TS) system and a microwave interferometer system have been installed to measure the inside plasma parameters of the D-module, and a movable electrostatic probe has been placed at the inlet of the D-module to measure the inlet plasma density and temperature. The TS system in the central cell observed the electron temperature and density of the core plasma simultaneously. These measurements revealed the entire density and temperature structure from the core plasma to the divertor plate. The line average electron density measured by the microwave interferometer showed a rollover behavior during detachment. The results indicated that the ionization region was located around the center of the D-module, and it appears to move upstream along the axis.

Verification of Phase Shifter Measurements of a Reflective Array Antenna

Introduction. Large-size phased antenna arrays (PAA) frequently incorporate optical excitation schemes, whose main elements include the feed and the reflective aperture. In turn, the reflective aperture consists of several tens of thousands of radiators and phase shifters. Major distortions of the radiation pattern in reflective arrays occur due to phase errors, leading to a decrease in the gain and an increase in the side lobes of the radiation pattern. In the millimeter wavelength range, ferrite phase shifters can have an initial phase from 0 to 360 °, thus requiring measurements of the array elements following their assembly.Aim. To develop a method for evaluating errors in measurements of the parameters of phase shifters incorporated in an antenna array by comparing theoretical and experimental data.Materials and methods. A convenient method for determining the parameters of phase shifters is probing, in which a movable probe is connected in series with each array element. In cases where a PAA element represents a single structure consisting of a ferrite segment and a dielectric radiator, measurements are carried out using a probe in the form of a segment of a round waveguide moving towards the radiator. In order to evaluate the measurement error of such a scheme, a mechanically controlled reference phase shifter was used.Results. Measurement errors for the probe structure used were calculated based on the assumption of the phase error arising from the vector addition of the controlled and uncontrolled reflected signals at the input of the PAA element, in the section of the reference plane at the input of the probe. In addition, the S-parameters of the superposition section were calculated. The extrema of the error function were used to determine the maximum errors in measuring the phase and amplitude.Conclusion. The performed analysis confirmed the validity of the proposed method for measuring the parameters of phase shifters using a waveguide probe. The measurement error of the PAA elements according to the proposed scheme was found to be about 3 o, which is commensurate with that of recording devices.

Development of a set of movable electrostatic probes to characterize the plasma in the ITER neutral beam negative-ion source prototype

We present the development and first use of a set of movable electrostatic probes on the full-scale ITER heating neutral beam prototype negative-ion source SPIDER. The probes access the ion source plasma from the multi-aperture accelerator aiming at the study of the plasma formation and expansion from the RF drivers through the transverse magnetic filter. The magnetic filter separates the relatively high electron-temperature region for plasma formation and hydrogen dissociation form the negative-ion extraction region in which low electron-temperature is required to avoid negative-ion destruction, but also causes non-uniformities and drifts in the large plasma discharge which will be studied by this setup. The set of electrostatic probes encompasses eight RF-compensated Langmuir probes, one double probe, one Mach probe for the assessment of plasma drift velocities, and two gridded retarding field energy analyzers to measure the positive-ion energy distribution function. Electric aspects as well as mechanical constraints given by the large in-vacuum movable structure, and thermal requirements of these relatively heat-flux components made the design challenging. Prototyping and commissioning of the measurement system is discussed offering examples of measured characteristics with the various probes.