Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights June 15, 2009 FY2009 weeks of research operations: Target: TBD Completed: 0 weeks ReNew ----- Many scientists affiliated with C-Mod attended the OFES Research Needs Workshop in Bethesda, MD, last week. From MIT were Amanda Hubbard, Catherine Fiore, Martin Greenwald, Bruce Lipschultz, Earl Marmar, Joe Minervini, Ron Parker, Miklos Porkolab, Jim Terry, and Dennis Whyte. From PPPL were Chuck Kessel, David Mikkelsen, and Randy Wilson. Bill Rowan, UTexas, also attended. Martin Greenwald led the thrust on validated predictive modelling. Jim Terry was leader of the "Measurements" Panel associated with Themes 1 and 2. During the Workshop he chaired the break-out session on research thrust 1 - "New Measurement Techniques to Understand and Control Burning Plasmas". Ron Parker co-chaired the drafting of Thrust 4: "Qualify operational scenarios and the supporting physics basis for ITER" with Craig Petty, GA. This work involved a presentation and editing the final version that will appear in the ReNew report. Bruce Lipschultz was co-leader with Tony Leonard, GA, of the core-edge coupling panel. Amanda Hubbard served as the Chair for Theme II, Randy Wilson was the leader for the Auxiliary Systems panel within Theme II. Joe Minervini led the Magnets panel, and related Thrust, also in Theme II. Chuck Kessel was leader of the integration of high-performance steady-state plasmas panel. Operations ---------- Installations, alignments, calibrations, and vessel cleanup and documentation were completed last Wednesday, 6/10, and C-Mod was pumped down. Leak checking on Thursday and Friday detected several leaks that were repaired by Friday evening. On Saturday, the liquid nitrogen and vessel heater systems were brought back on-line, and the magnets cooled to -25 C while the heaters maintained the vessel at 60 C. On Sunday, the bake was increased to 80 C. We expect to be at full bake temperature of 120C on Monday following a final leak-check. The alternator was successfully brought up to full speed (1710 RPM) on Thursday and Friday of last week with low vibration levels indicating that no re-balancing will be required. Testing will continue early next week in preparation for operation of the C-Mod magnet supplies later in the week. We are working to bring diagnostics back on-line. ICRF Systems ------------ Upgrades to the Intermediate Power Amplifier status indicator panels continued last week. A reconditioned final amplifier tube is being installed in FMIT #1 in preparation for the next campaign. Matching components and transmission lines are being reinstalled in the cell. Lower Hybrid Systems -------------------- We have received the high power Magic T prototype from our vendor. Low power tests indicate it is performing as designed, and preparations are being made for high power testing. We continued work on the Coupler Protection system last week with tests of the timing, start, and RF gate signals. Software development also continued. Fabrication of the new lower hybrid launcher continued. Travel and Visits ----------------- Dr. Hubertus von De Witz, Head of Siemens Corporate University Liaison Office, visited last week and was given a tour of the C-Mod Facility. Dr. Janice Reid, CEO of TOMCO, visited C-Mod last week for discussions with Steve Wukitch and Alan Binus on the high power solid state amplifiers they produce, and a tour of the facility. _______________________________________________ Cmod_weekly mailing list Cmod_weekly@lists.psfc.mit.edu http://lists.psfc.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/cmod_weekly