Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
               January 12, 2009

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



Operations
----------

The lower wedge plate, that along with the upper wedge plate, provides a
major component of the structural support for the TF magnet was installed
last week.  The upper wedge plate was also installed temporarily as part
of the OH stack/TF core alignment process.  We are now prepared to
begin installation of the lower TF arms early this week.

The alternator inspection continued with the return of the vendor who
will reposition the rotor for the second set of ultrasonic and eddy
current measurements of the rotor core.  The vendor contracted to make
those UT and eddy current measurements is also again on-site.


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

Work continued on upgrades to the Transmitter Protection System (TPS).
Block diagrams have been produced to aid in the redesign and
repositioning of the components.  We also continued testing the new
Coupler Protection System boards.  These tests indicated that two boards
required modifications to the fault threshold settings.  Work continued
on the client side API (application program interface), and the new rf
probes and associated electronics.
 

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

We continued to debug the FPA (Final Power Amplifier) grid regulator for
FMIT#4.  A problem in the regulator may be related to a new set of solid
state components with somewhat different performance from those used
earlier.


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

A preliminary design review for the MSE thermal shield was held last
week, with M. Smith, PPPL, presenting design and analysis progress.  The
meeting was attended via video conferencing by R. Vieira, J. Irby,
R. Granetz, J. Ko, and S. Shiraiwa from MIT. The PPPL attendees were
L. Dudek, R. Ellis, G. Labik, S. Scott, C. Kessel, and W. Blanchard.
Issues needing clarification were identified, including the plating of
the Inconel shields, insulator/spacer fabrication, and design of an
extension to the shield.  M. Smith will travel to MIT to do prototype
fit-up soon.

Bill Rowan and Igor Bespamyatnov, U. Texas, continued work on the BES
(Beam Emission Spectroscopy) upgrade.  Optical components similar to
those needed for the optical splitter were tested, and the information
obtained was used to verify the specifications for the new optical
components, which are now on order.  Perry Phillips, U. Texas, continued
work on the FRCECE (Fusion Research Center Electron Cyclotron Emission)
Upgrade.


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

David Mikkelsen, PPPL, visited MIT PSFC and worked with M. Reinke and
C. Fiore at MIT to examine the consistency of the measured ion
temperature and neutron rate in a variety of Alcator C-Mod plasmas.  He
also discussed the new laser blow-off system with M. Greenwald as well
as impurity transport studies and simulations.  J. Rice and M. Reinke
explained spectroscopic capabilities.

Chuck Kessel, PPPL, visited MIT PSFC to discuss advanced scenario
experiments and modeling with A. Hubbard, H-Mode/ITER scenario
experiments and modeling with S. Wolfe, and modeling plans and LH issues
with P. Bonoli.  He also met with E. Marmar, R. Parker, A. Dominguez,
S. Scott, and S. Shiraiwa.

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