Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
			    October 16, 2006


FY2007 weeks of research operations:
   Tentative target: 14 weeks
   Completed: 0 weeks


Physics
-------

Eleven papers on C-Mod related research will be presented at the 21st
IAEA Fusion Energy Conference in Chengdu, China this week.  A link to
the presentations and papers can be found at:

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/pubs/iaea/index.htm


Operations
----------

Work continued last week on modifications to port flanges, upgrades to
the bolometry system, installation of studs for the new upper divertor
cryopump, the shutter for the polarimetry system, and removal and
inspections of antenna components.

The yearly preventive maintenance work on the alternator Limit-Amp
controller was completed last week.  Calibration of the lube oil
pressure switches in the flywheel lube oil tank was also begun.  The
alternator gas purity is above 90% and continues to improve as purge
gas flows through the system.


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

The klystron test stand has been operated at 10 Hz, with a 10 us pulse
width at voltages up to 500V on the switched transformer primary. The
output pulses are the correct voltage (5 kV) for the 10:1 transformer
ratio.

Fabrication continued on the HVPS module test stand.  Installation of
the load inductor, layout of the control panels, wiring of the
contactors, soft-starts and operator controls, and other
instrumentation made good progress.

A 3-window braze test has been successfully completed.  The windows
for this test were installed in the middle of the 1.5" long flange.
Simulations of the brazing process indicate that this location will
minimize stresses in the windows.  A 24-window test is in preparation.


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

Specifications for water cooling of the fast ferrite real-time tuners
have been completed, and a recirculating process chiller has been
selected.  This unit which will operate both FFTs with a large safety
margin.  The Power transformer for the FFT supplies has arrived and
the installation details are almost complete. A mounting location has
been identified.  FFT water flow meters and interlocks are being
procured.


Long Pulse DNB
--------------

We continued to modify the DNB support structure in preparation for
the 7 degree toroidal rotation.  The West side of the transformer
support structure has been removed and preparations are underway to
install a new cross brace for the rear leg of the support. Two high
voltage cabinets will also be moved before the support modifications
can be completed.


Travel and Visits
-----------------

Martin Greenwald traveled to Lehigh University to give a physics
department colloquium titled "Fusion Energy: Promise and Prospects".

On Friday, Oct 13, Dennis Whyte presented the colloquium at the
Columbia department of Applied Physics and Mathematics on "Disruption
Mitigation and Tritium Control in ITER: Progress and Challenges".

Paul Bonoli, Darin Ernst, Robert Granetz, Jerry Hughes, Valerie Izzo,
Bruce Lipschultz, Earl Marmar, Miklos Porkolab, John Rice, Steve Scott
(PPPL), and Steve Wukitch are all at the IAEA meeting this week in
Chengdu, China.
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