Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
                  July 25, 2011


FY2011 weeks of research operations
Target: 15 weeks
Completed: 14.5 weeks
Plasma Shots: 1706


Physics
-------

The possibility of improving LHCD performance at high density using an
off-midplane launcher is being considered. The LH waves launched from an
off-midplane launcher follow a different path in phase space, and are
absorbed by bulk electrons during the first pass. The fast electrons so
produced could provide a seed population for LHCD at high density.
Simulation predicts significant improvement using two launchers; the
current launcher plus a new one launching waves above the midplane.


Operations
----------

In-vessel work last week included installation of the A-Port shutter,
the new Thomson viewing dump, and the outer divertor current
shunts. Removal of all RF protection tiles from the D/E-port antennas
for grit blasting with aluminum oxide was completed.  Installation began
of new impurity seeding gas lines at B/H-port.

We continue to prepare the outer vessel wall for installation of the new
ARRA-funded rotated ICRF antenna and the QCM antenna.


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

We continued work on the ARRA-funded rotated ICRF antenna last week.
One of the four current straps, another outer side plate, and the
Z-plate were copper plated last week.  The current strap and the outer
side plate will require some feathering or smoothing of surfaces near
transitions between plated and un-plated areas.  The first of two back
plates has been prepared for plating, and the necessary support
structure for the plates has been provided to the vendor.  We have baked
the molybdenum protection tiles and half of the Faraday rods, while
preparing the remaining rods for baking.  The stud welding fixture was
inspected and found to be within tolerance.


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

Slabs of garnet ferrite material for the LH FFT prototype have been
coated with Ti and Cu.  The metal coatings allow soldering of the
ferrite into the FFT waveguide to be performed.  The coatings are
uniform and well bonded to the ferrite surface.

Progress continues on the transmitter protection system (TPS) upgrade.
Klystron cart shelf brackets were installed and G10 mounting brackets
fabricated. Klystron drive amplifiers and associated cables were
received from the vendor. Fiber optic runs for the TPS ethernet system
were installed.  The associated 120VAC power distribution equipment
installation work is in progress.


Remote Participation, Travel, and Visitors
------------------------------------------

John Rice attended the Atomic Processes in Plasmas meeting in Belfast
July 18-22 and presented a poster entitled "Tribute to Nicol Jamieson
Peacock".

Martin Greenwald traveled to Palo Alto, CA to participate in a review of
fusion energy opportunities conducted by EPRI (Electric Power Research
Institute).

Perry Phillips (FRC Texas) visited Monday-Wed.  He spent time with
several C-Mod people (Igor Bespamyatnov and Ken Liao, UTex, Amanda
Hubbard, Anne White) sharing information on the FRCECE hardware and
software, in advance of his upcoming partial retirement.

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