Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
                 April 13, 2009
                   

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


C-Mod 2009 Ideas Forum
----------------------

The 2009 C-Mod Ideas Forum was held at MIT from April 6th to 8th. This
meeting marks the beginning of our detailed campaign planning process
for FY09/10. Participants from MIT and ten other institutions submitted
137 proposals for consideration, spanning a broad range of research
areas. The materials presented at the Forum are available online at

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/program/ideas2009/agenda_mirror/ideas_forum_agenda.htm

Leaders of specific task force areas will organize meetings in the
coming weeks to evaluate and prioritize the proposed ideas.


Operations
----------

A high-pot and ring of the C-Mod magnets including the bus tunnel and
curved bus components was completed successfully last Thursday.  This
major step in the assembly has allowed us to move forward with
installation of the cryostat. We also continued work on preparations for
installation of the horizontal and vertical flanges.

All materials testing of the alternator bore ring samples has been
completed.  All tests indicated good rotor steel properies including
those of yield, fracture toughness, and crack growth. Energy Dispersive
X-ray analysis together with scanning electron micrographs of the
samples taken from a region with a relatively high density of ultrasound
indications imply that little or no change has occurred in the rotor
steel in this region since it was forged.


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

Windows to be used as part of the pressurized transmission line for the
launcher have been successfully tested to 250 kW for 250 ms.  We
continued work on the control system upgrade.  Complex Programmable
Logic Device (CPLD) programming has begun for the rf probe protection
system.  The Peripheral Interface Controller/CPLD prototype board for
the rf interlock board has been completed.  Electrical testing of the
vacuum feedthroughs needed for the new rf probes is underway.


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

Thermal and electromagnetic modeling of the ICRF vacuum feedthroughs
that will be used for the new 4-strap antenna continued last week.  The
design of the new Master Fault Processor Mezzanine board needed for the
Transmitter Control System Upgrade has been successfully reviewed and
passed on for layout and production.  Work also continued on preparing
FMIT#3 to drive the new rf test stand.


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

Bill Rowan and Igor Bespamyatnov, UTexas, were at MIT last week and
participated in the C-Mod Ideas Forum.

Randy Wilson and Dave Johnson, PPPL, were also at MIT to participate in
the Forum.

Pat MacGibbon and Peter Koert visited one of our vendors last week to
discuss transmission line components for the lower hybrid system.


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