Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
                October 20, 2008


FY2009 weeks of research operations:
   Target: TBD
   Completed:  0 weeks



IAEA
----

C-Mod was well represented at the IAEA Conference in Geneva, Switzerland
from October 13 to 17.  Attendees from the C-Mod team included Darin
Ernst, Chuck Kessel (PPPL), Yijun Lin, Earl Marmar, Miklos Porkolab,
John Rice, George Sips (IPP Garching), Joe Snipes (ITER IO), Dennis
Whyte, Randy Wilson (PPPL), John Wright, and Steve Wukitch.  There were
10 presentations which drew directly on C-Mod results, including 4
orals:

Earl Marmar - Overview of the Alcator C-Mod Research Program

Yijun Lin - ICRF Mode Conversion Flow Drive on Tokamak Plasmas,
post-deadline

George Sips - Experimental Studies of ITER Demonstration Discharges

Dennis Whyte - Plasma Surface Interaction Issues of an All-metal ITER


Presentations may be found at:

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



Operations
----------

We continued soldering of feltmetal to the vertical legs.  Inspection of
the TF core fingers has been completed, and we are making preparations
to silver plate those fingers that require it.  Cycle tests of the new
inner wall heaters over a -200 to +130 C range have been completed.  The
tests indicate that the adhesive on the new heaters was not as effective
as the adhesive used previously.  The adhesive layer is being replaced.


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

Detailing of the 4-way splitter design is underway.  We expect to go out
for bids for the splitter within the next 10 days.  Alumina vacuum
windows for the couplers are being prepared for brazing.


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

Testing has begun of the new 10 kW solid-state IPA unit.  The new power
supplies are being brought into operation, and the cavity tuning
controls are again operational.  As soon as the water cooling system
become operational, the IPA will be ready for rf tests.


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

Charles Lasnier, GA, gave a PSFC seminar on "IR thermography and its
application to burning plasma devices". In the course of his visit he
discussed with Jim Terry the application of infra-red divertor imaging
on C-Mod. He also participated in discussions on ways to proceed toward
fulfilling the multi-machine FY10 JOULE milestone to improve
understanding of the heat transport in the tokamak scrape-off layer.

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