Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
			    October 30, 2006


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


Physics
-------

Most of the physics staff are at the 48th Annual Meeting of the
Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) in Philadelphia this week.  Three
invited talks, 11 oral presentations, and 35 posters will be presented
on Alcator C-Mod research results.  These may be viewed at

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/pubs/APS/APS2006/philadelphia2006index.htm


Operations
----------

A partial list of activities from last week includes work on a new
pre-ionization system for C-Mod, bolometry upgrades, alternator
maintenance, rf crowbar units, lower hybrid test stand, new heater
scanner boards, new Langmuir probe boards, TCI/Polarimetry real-time
beam position controllers, Polarimeter shutters and retro-reflectors,
in-vessel cabling for the new upper probe arrays, and FPGA programming
for the new lower hybrid coupler protection system.


Upper Divertor Cryopump
-----------------------

Most components needed for the cryopump are in-house and nearly ready
for installation.  Some components are still being produced by our
vendors but with acceptable delivery dates.  We continue to weld in
new support studs in-vessel in preparation for installation of the
cryopump.


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

We continued to clean and refurbish antenna components last week.  A
technique was developed to clean the rf feedthroughs without leaving
any residue that could cause rf breakdown in this critical region.

Design and installation of FFT systems continued last week.


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

All 68 HVPS modules have been successfully tested at full current and
voltage.  Tests that stressed the modules thermally have also been
successfully completed.  We are making arrangements for the supply
vendor representatives to come and witness startup of the HVPS.


Long Pulse Diagnostic Neutral Beam
----------------------------------

As part of the DNB toroidal rotation effort major modifications to the
deck structural supports have been completed of the West side
above-deck stand. A new cross member was installed at the south end
under the deck and a new gusset plate was installed at the north
end. A test fit-up was performed in the cell and this system is now
nearly ready for installation.

Repairs were completed on the high voltage transformer bank. All eight
transformers and diodes were successfully high potted in the blocking
direction up to the voltage at which the MOVs began to conduct. All
transformer interconnections were re-installed.


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

Alex Klein, an MIT postdoc working at JET through the collaboration on
Alfven eigenmodes between MIT, JET, and the CRPP-Lausanne, visited
last week and gave a seminar.  On Wednesday and Thursday he had
discussions with Joe Snipes and Willy Burke on the new TAE antennas
for JET.

Savvas Savvides, Head of the Engineering Practice Department, Higher
Technical Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, visited the PSFC last week, and
was given a tour of the C-Mod facility by Earl Marmar.

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