Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
			    August 14, 2006


FY2006 weeks of research operations:
   JOULE target: 14 weeks
   Completed: 16.7 weeks



Operations
----------

Manned entry to the C-Mod vessel began last Tuesday.  After initial
documentation of the status of the vessel, several post-run
calibrations were completed including those needed for MSE, the stereo
lithium pellet ablation imaging system, BES, CXRS, and the poloidally
viewing hard x-ray camera.

Planned maintenance continued on the alternator and power systems.


Cryopump
--------

The prototype cryopump has been installed in the vacuum test stand and
successfully pumped down and leak checked.  Instrumentation has been
checked out and pump temperatures and vacuum system parameters are
being trended in the PLC.  Preparations for the initial cooldown of
the pump are being made.


Lower Hybrid System
-------------------

John McLean from D-Tacq Solutions visited last week and discussed with
several of our engineers the use of one of their data acquisition
boards in the upgrade to the lower hybrid control system.  John was
very helpful in providing information about programming the board, and
also about new software that will simplify monitoring board operation.
On-board FPGAs will allow remote programming of control parameters.


ICRF Systems
------------

Work continues on the fast-ferrite-tuner prototype that will be used
for real-time matching of the E-Port ICRF antenna.  Parts for the
control system are being ordered, and the arc detection and the cell
power distribution systems are being designed.


Diagnostics
-----------

Stewart Zweben and Bob Ellis, both of PPPL, and Jim Terry presented a
successful final design review of the new Gas Puff Injection telescope
for C-Mod. Several suggestions made during the review will be
implemented in the design, and final detailing of the drawings, and
fabrication of the telescope, will proceed.  Stewart Zweben also
worked on a comparison between edge turbulence seen by the Langmuir
probe and the gas puff imaging diagnostic during the limited plasma
experiment MP429.


Visitors and Travel
-------------------

Stewart Zweben, PPPL, was at MIT for the GPI telescope review.
_______________________________________________
Cmod_weekly mailing list
Cmod_weekly@lists.psfc.mit.edu
http://lists.psfc.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/cmod_weekly