Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
			    November 13, 2006


FY2007 weeks of research operations:
   tentative target: 15 weeks
   Completed: 0 weeks


Physics
-------

Two Alcator C-Mod team members, John Rice and Dennis Whyte, were made
APS Fellows last week during the 48th Annual APS Meeting of the
Division of Plasma Physics.  John's citation reads "For significant
contributions in the areas of spontaneous rotation, momentum and
impurity transport, internal transport barrier formation and
spectroscopy of medium and high Z impurities in magnetic fusion
confinement devices."  The citation for Dennis reads "For major
contributions to the understanding of physical processes in the edge
of magnetic confinement plasma devices, the physics of plasma surface
interactions and disruption mitigation."


Operations
----------

Approximately 30% of the studs needed to support the upper divertor
cryopump protection hardware have been installed, and a successful
fit-up of several of the shim plates has been completed.  The cyropump
liquid nitrogen shield is at our vendor for welding.  In-house welding
of the liquid helium cooled inner tube for the cyropump has been
qualified.

We continue to clean outer divertor components for installation
in-vessel.  Approximately 2/3 of the new tungsten tiles have been
cleaned and are ready to be re-assembled into tile modules.


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

We continued development work on the new 24-window couplers.  A double
flange 24-window prototype is ready for brazing.  Work also continued
on the new klystron test stand, refurbishment work on klystron cathode
assemblies, and the upgraded control and protection system.


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

The optical system for the poloidally viewing CXRS periscope has been
fully assembled and successfully tested for image quality.  This
system will view the ITB region of the C-Mod plasma from the F-Top
vertical port.

The shutter for the poloidally viewing polarimetry system which is
needed to protect the retro-reflectors on the inner wall has been
operated successfully in vacuum.  Cycle tests of the shutter will soon
be underway.  The retro-reflectors, made of TZM, a molybdenum alloy,
are in-house and ready to be polished, after which they will be tested
for optical performance.

Machining work on the new bolometer box, and welding of edge CXRS
components continued last week.  Fit-ups in-vessel of bolometer cables
were conducted last week.


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

Components needed for the Fast Ferrite Tuner protection and control
system continue to arrive.  Design work is in progress on the PLC
interface for this system and programming has begun.

We continue to inspect and clean the in-vessel antenna components. New
gaskets have been designed and are being fabricated to improve the rf
connection between the feed coaxes and the antenna backplane.


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

Mario Podesta, CRPP-Lausanne, visited last week and discussed
fluctuations and transport with C-Mod scientists.  He also gave a PSFC
seminar entitled "Fluctuations and transport in the TORPEX toroidal
plasma."

Bob Granetz was at PPPL last week serving on the NCSX PAC.

Alberto Loarte, EFDA, Garching, visited MIT November 10. He met with
C-Mod staff to discuss a number of edge issues - ELMs, disruptions, as
well as the planned diagnostics and experiments.

Bruce Lipschultz and Dennis Whyte were at the ITPA meeting at the
U. of Toronto from Nov 6 to 9.  Dennis gave a talk on deuterium
retention in C-Mod, and Bruce gave a talk for Jim Terry on ELM
measurements.
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