Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
                September 15, 2008


FY2008 weeks of research operations:
   Target: 15 weeks
   Completed:  15.7 weeks


Lower Hybrid Launcher Review
----------------------------

On September 9th a successful final design review of the new lower
hybrid launcher was held at MIT.  Steve Knowlton, Auburn University, and
Douglas Loesser, PPPL, comprised the external review panel.  After a
welcome by Earl Marmar, Ron Parker, Randy Wilson (PPPL), Peter Koert,
Rui Vieira, Jeff Doody, Orso Meneghini, and Jim Irby gave presentations.
These may be found at

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/data/launcher_review_.pdf


Operations
----------

All major inspections of the alternator rotor and stator have been
completed. On Thursday, the rotor passed a 1000 V megger with very good
resistance readings, and preparations are being made to move the rotor
back into the alternator housing. The slot armor insulation that had
migrated 2 cm axially along the rotor slot has been successfully
repositioned, and new G11 blocks have been installed with a design
modification that will prevent migration in the future.  The retaining
rings and fans have been installed on the rotor.  We are awaiting
reports from GE on the boresonic inspection of the rotor and ultrasonic
tests of the rotor and flywheel.

Feltmetal has been successful laser cut to the proper size for
installation on the TF arms and legs.  Improvements are being made to
the inductive soldering fixturing to reduce the time required to do the
soldering.

We continue to upgrade PLC PC interface systems to RSVIEW.  The
Two-Color-Interferometer control system is now under test.


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

The Intermediate Power Amplifier (IPA) input and output cavities have
been removed from FMIT#4.  Wiring in the cavities is being secured and
insulated in preparation for installation of new components.  Rails have
been installed for mounting the new power supplies.  The control logic
chassis for the FMIT#4 IPA has been machined.

Work continued on simulation and design of the new 4-strap antenna.


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

The use of a micro-controller is being considered as part of the
temperature trip circuit to protect the lower hybrid klystron
collectors.  The system is being programmed to talk directly to MDSplus
via a TCP/IP interface.

High power tests of the 4-way splitter and matching transformer have
been completed.  200 kW pulses lasting 500 ms were successfully handled
by the splitter.  Fabrication will begin soon on the first of the 16
couplers needed for the new lower hybrid launcher.


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

The C-Mod Polarimeter optical table arrived last week, and is being set
up in the polarimeter lab.  The FIR lasers will be installed on the
table in the configuration planned for the C-Mod system, and beam paths
as optically similar as possible to those planned for the C-Mod
diagnostic will be tested.  We also continued to test FIR detectors and
video amplifiers.  Components needed to remotely control the FIR laser
fill gas flow rates are now in-house and will be installed and tested
over the next two weeks.


Diagnostic Neutral Beam
-----------------------

We continued preparations for the measurement of the beam parameters in
the new target chamber.  Vacuum components are being fabricated
including the ZnSe viewport for use with the IR camera.  Thermocouple
instrumentation is being brought on-line.  Improvements are also being
made to the DNB cathode assembly.

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