Alcator C-Mod Run 1001106 Information

Back to runs

Miniproposals
Miniproposal:199
Date Filed: 2/17/1998
Title:Upper X-point H-modes: Thresholds and Character, with reversed B
First Author:Ian Hutchinson
Session Leader:Ian Hutchinson (shots 1-24)

Operators
Session leader(s):Ian Hutchinson
Physics operator(s):Steve Wolfe
Engineering operator(s):Ed Fitzgerald,Bill Parkin,Bill Cochran

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP#199 Upper Null Triangularity Scan in Reverse Field. Hutchinson/Wolfe

Session Leader Plans

Physics Operators Plans

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 03:49:25:367PM
Author: To Be Determined
Session Leader's Summary
1001106
MP 199 Upper X-point H-modes with triangularity scans.

SL Hutch
PO Wolfe

Summary
_______

Not many good plasmas were obtained today and practically no decent heating
because there were fizzle problems and H/D ratio was unpleasantly high.

Nevertheless some dynamic triangularity scans were obtained in H-modes
that showed QC modes and other EDA characteristics even though they
were repetitively cycling in and out of H-mode because of excessive
radiation (cf heat). The trends of x-ray width versus triangularity
observed in the lower x-point scans were substantially
reproduced. X-ray width decreases as triangularity is decreased or as
current is decreased. The triangularity dependence remains in cases
where the toroidal field is ramped up to maintain q
constant. (Confirming the independence of the effect on B_t).

In short, all the evidence is that the upper diverted case is the same
as the lower diverted case, so the effects we see are not a divertor
hardware proximity effect, but truly shaping.


Useful shots:

19 Sustained EDA case at high triangularity.
20 Triangularity dynamic scan delta upper .8 to .4. Shows width narrowing.
21 Triangularity scan with simultaneous Ip scan to keep q constant. Much
less x-ray width variation
22 Triangularity scan, Ip constant, Bt ramped up, q constant. Shows narrowing.
23 Higher power (1.8MW vs 1MW) version of 22. Similar result.
24 Fixed high triangularity, fixed Bt, Ip scan. X-ray width undetermined.

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 04:37:12:613PM
Author: To Be Determined
Physics Operator Summary for Monday, 1001106

MP#199 Upper null triangularity scan with reversed field
SL: Hutchinson
PO: Wolfe
EO: Cochran, Fitzgerald, Parkin

Plan:
-----

Start from an upper null like 1001006008 (flipped for reverse field, and
current increased to 1MA). Start with a lowish density nl4=7e19. Get enough RF
in to produce an H-mode, and scan triangularity (upper and lower) to look for
EDA boundary. If an EDA is obtained, try dynamic triangularity scans. Repeat
at higher density, up to 1.5e20. Note: This run was previously attempted on
991104, but RF wasn't operating well, so results were unsatisfactory.

Machine Conditioning:
---------------------

Boronization and ECDC in D2 over the weekend, with ECDC ending
2 hours before the run.

Run should start at 9:00 AM

Power systems as on 1001103002 except
EFC start time should be -.030sec
EFC Voltage to 900V

Gas setup

fill B-top with 6 psi of D2 Hybrid enabled
fill B-side lower with 1 psi of Ar Hybrid DISABLED
fill B-side upper with 35 psi of D2 Hybrid DISABLED, for ECDC
fill C-side with 30 psi of D2 Hybrid enabled
leave J-bot as is Hybrid DISABLED


Assuming no vacuum problems the following gate valves should be enabled:
ECE, VUV, Beast

PCS Setup:

Seg 1 from 1001103013; change chopper voltage for early ZCUR control
flattop IC_EF4 at 1340.
Seg 3 upper null, increase Ip to 1MA, change tf current to 150kA; nl4 to 7e19; turn on.
Seg 4 from 991104xxx and re-compute predictors; Probably only use for waveforms.

Other: The fizzle detector threshold was increased from .191 to .223 prior to
the run, to try to avoid having the level go low again after a disruption, as
observed on 1001103022. We really need to tweak up the iso-amp offset voltages
going to the hybrid!

Results:
-------

The startup problems that plagued last week's runs have not gone away. We
began with a series of fizzles, and tweaking to try to get a plasma. Ian
believes that the main problem is extreme sensitivity to Br; when the nominal
value of fluxihh_zcur is positive, it seemed not to go. It looked to me like
the problem was radial position, and I also changed the RCUR offset, ending up
at -3500 (starting from -5500). Later in the day, I tried adjusting the
pre-puff to keep the position in a "good" range; widths were from
18-24msec. After disruptions, it took two or three fizzles, and a tweak to get
a plasma back; the current rise was initially slow, then increased
progressively, until it ended up being too fast. Br and zcur also seemed to
change, and I ended up at a Br offset of .0025, although I think this may
really be too high.

All shots were run with Segments 1 and 3 active. Clearin from the initial
segment 3 was much too negative at -.015; we ended up at +.005 to get a
sensible gap, which implies that an offset of zero is good for the upper
nulls. However, the normal field shots in October (e.g. 1001006008) had a
reasonable gap at this setting; the difference is perhaps the large negative
offset Ip signal into the wavegen.

We got the upper triangularity above 0.8, corresponding to RXU of -.06. RXL of
the same value gives delta_l of .4. High triangularity tends to drive the
EF2U to zero unless the EF4 demand is programmed positive, i.e. fighting the
EF3. Dynamic triangularity scans from hi to low were carried out, with ramps
programmed on EF4 as well. We ran a few shots with ramping triangularity and
either current or Bt ramps to maintain constant q. The PF waveforms for these
shots were "interesting"; caligraphy anyone?

H/D at the beginning of the first shot was only 0.02, but went high once the
RF came on, and during the day was up to 0.2. Max RF power was 2.5MW, but the
only shots which were close to constant were down in the 1.2-1.7MW range. We
had injections (mostly D-port?) and faulting on all systems all day. Heating
efficiency, with the possible exception of shots 11-13, was poor.

"Successful" shots were:

#6 - 0.7e20, 1MA inner wall limited, no H-mode
#7 - 0.7e20, 1MA 0.5cm inner gap, disrupted during RF
#11 0.7e20, 1MA, H-modes
#12 0.7e20, .9MA, larger inner gap,
#13 0.9e20, .9MA, earlier diversion, EDA until injection
#14 tried for high triangularity, disrupted early
#18 high triangularity, 4 EDA-ish H-modes
#19 higher triangularity, longer EDA with lower RF power
#20 triang. scan (hi-low)
#21 triang scan with Ip ramp, const. q
#22-23 traing. scan with Bt ramp, const. q
#24 IP ramp at constant hi triang.

Scorecard:
---------

Tests 0
Duds 0
Fizzles 11
Plasmas 13
------- --
Shots 24


Session Leader Comments
Nov 6 2000 09:15:44:610AMIan HutchinsonMP 199 Upper X-point Abnormal Field Direction, Triangularity scans for
EDA characteristics etc.

Get EDA H-mode.
Do triangularity scans.
Nov 6 2000 10:48:48:093AMIan HutchinsonShot 6 first plasma. Not diverted 1MWfrom E-port. H/D 2-6%.
Nov 6 2000 10:59:50:467AM1001106007Ian HutchinsonDisruption apparently caused by RF sparklers showing on D-antenna.
Nov 6 2000 12:21:13:937PM1001106011Ian HutchinsonPlasma. First H-mode 2MW, not EDA. The safety factor is rather low 3.6. 1MA.

Nov 6 2000 12:47:00:403PM1001106012Ian HutchinsonPlasma 0.9MA. q=4. H-mode seems trying to be EDA. Lower x-point is rather close
ask to move it away. nl04=.7 target.
Nov 6 2000 01:18:18:793PM1001106013Ian HutchinsonPlasma. EDA until hit by injection.
Nov 6 2000 01:19:29:340PM1001106014Ian HutchinsonAttempt at a higher triangularity case disrupts early because of power supply
problems.
Nov 6 2000 02:51:35:077PM1001106018Ian HutchinsonPlasma. Higher triangularity up to .65 at top. Ragged short radiative H-modes.
H/D ratio up to 14%.
Nov 6 2000 03:23:02:250PM1001106019Ian HutchinsonPlasma. Two long H-modes. Killed by an injection at the end. 1.2MW.
Upper triangularity 0.75. This is a sustained EDA case at high triangularity.
Nov 6 2000 03:45:40:123PM1001106020Ian HutchinsonPlasma. A triangularity scan. Many H-modes with impurity accumulation.
Delta upper from .8 to .4. The xray width shows a narrowing as the triangularity
decreases. 5mm dropping to around 2.7mm. Density width on edge Thomson also
shows a factor of about 2 narrowing. Quasi coherent mode present on PCI till
about 1.3s then seems to disappear in favor of some broader band stuff.

In so far as this shot looks like the previous triangularity scans in its
pedestal width variation, it is prima facie a verification that the result
is not a divertor interaction. That was a major part of the proposal.
Nov 6 2000 04:13:56:640PM1001106021Ian HutchinsonPlasma. Shot to ramp the current down so as to keep safety factor constant.
succeeded at that very well. Multiple H-modes as before. Very low stored
energy. Heating efficiency is ghastly. H/D ratio is very high, 15%.
X-ray width decrease is markedly less than the previous shot. Showing that
the current-dependence is cancelling out the triangularity effect, or else
that the effect is really safety factor. Density width is decreasing with
time similar to previous shot. It needs to be investigated if this is related
to a flux mapping/expansion effect. PCI sees a quasi-coherent mode only
weakly up to about 1s and not significantly thereafter.
Nov 6 2000 04:32:17:497PM1001106022Ian HutchinsonPlasma with constant current but magnetic field ramped up to keep q constant
as the triangularity sweeps. Three H-modes. Little heating. Xray width is
similar to shot 20, i.e. it decreases as the triangularity drops. Density
width behaves the same. PCI does see QC mode even to low triangularity but
it becomes more incoherent.
Nov 6 2000 04:48:25:903PM1001106023Ian HutchinsonPlasma. Higher power 1.8MW otherwise similar, with Bramp to keep q constant.
The extra power is hardly noticeable. H/D is still creeping up.
Nov 6 2000 05:18:28:403PM1001106024Ian HutchinsonPlasma. Plasma current ramp-down at constant high triangularity.
X-ray widths can't be determined because of low signal.

Physics Operator Comments
Nov 3 2000 05:44:19:467PMSteve WolfeSetting up a shot for Monday morning
Seg 1 from 1001103013; change chopper voltage for early ZCUR control
flattop IC_EF4 at 1340.
Seg 3 upper null, increase Ip to 1MA, change tf current to 150kA; turn on.
Seg 4 from 991104xxx and re-compute predictors; Probably only use for waveforms.

Save as pcs$wolfe:pcs_1001106000
Nov 6 2000 07:12:13:827AMSteve Wolfeload from previously prepared pcs$wolfe:1001106000
coldstart at 7:09 - successful, all matrices respond.
Nov 6 2000 07:31:36:543AMSteve WolfeAdjust fizzle detector threshold from .191 to .223 (< 1/4 turn clockwise)
On shot 22 on Friday the fd toggled after a disruption, causing
a problem for the RF. The offset on the rogowski iso-amp seems to have
drifted even further than when it was necessary to make a similar
adjustment in March (see notes for 1000322).
Nov 6 2000 08:16:15:577AMSteve WolfeFor shot#1, adjust nl4 program from 7.89e19 (?) to 7.0e19
Nov 6 2000 10:25:32:170AM1001106001Steve Wolfeshot#1: Try for upper null 1MA plasma.
fizzle. early breakdown, but a slow current rise.
Ian thinks it has a br problem.
Irby needs to adjust the TCI laser, wouldn't have had feedback if it had gone.

next shot: tweak OH2 voltages at .01 and .015sec by -10V and -5V (corresponds to
OH1 change from last week, try to improved index evolution.
Nov 6 2000 10:25:43:747AM1001106002Steve Wolfeshot#2: : tweak OH2 voltages at .01 and .015sec by -10V and -5V (corresponds to
OH1 change from last week, try to improved index evolution.

fizzle. No obvious change in fields, Br is ~+.0005,
It moves out farther this time, but I/Bz isn't too big.

Next shot: EF4 from 1340 to 1325.
Nov 6 2000 10:26:02:450AM1001106003Steve Wolfeshot#3: EF4 from 1340 to 1325.
fizzle: next shot Br more positive
Nov 6 2000 10:26:29:340AM1001106005Steve Wolfeshot#5: RCUR offset from -5500 to -4000.
And another one. This one looks like a vertical problem.

next shot: Br back to .0015
Nov 6 2000 10:21:01:310AM1001106006Steve Wolfeshot#6: Br back to .0015
plasma. finally!
Still has a little lurch at 13msec

EF2's are doing something weird before .5sec
Got 1MW rf, puts in gas but no H-mode.
It's on the inner wall. CLEARIN has an offset problem I guess.

next shot: Change clearin
Nov 6 2000 10:42:35:217AM1001106007Steve Wolfeshot#7: Change clearin from -.015 to -.005

disruption at 0.84sec, brick.
left gap is only .5cm, outer gap ~1.3

next shot: increase clearin, rcur
Nov 6 2000 11:07:03:810AM1001106008Steve Wolfeshot#8: Change clearin from -.005 to 0., rcur from .6575 to .661
fizzle. slow current rise, stays inside.

next shot: repeat
Nov 6 2000 11:16:27:950AM1001106009Steve Wolfeshot#9: Change clearin from -.005 to 0., rcur from .6575 to .661
another fizzle. almost identical to 8.

next shot: rcur offset to -3500, pg4 from 20msec to 18msec

Nov 6 2000 11:43:22:653AM1001106010Steve Wolfeshot#10: rcur offset to -3500, pg4 from 20msec to 18msec
Change clearin from -.005 to 0., rcur from .6575 to .661

another fizzle. very late breakdown.
Ian points out when fluxihh_ZCUR is positive it doesn't go.
Nov 6 2000 12:12:15:390PM1001106011Steve Wolfeshot#11: pg4 back to 20msec, Br to .002 from .0015
Change clearin from -.005 to 0., rcur from .6575 to .661

plasma, full length. Bounced once at 15msec, but survived.
ZCUR was more positive, but went negative.
some runaways. H-mode, looks pretty ELM-free.
EF2's to zero in rampdown. q is only 3.7
Nov 6 2000 12:24:28:297PM1001106012Steve Wolfeshot#12: INcrease clearin from 0 to .005, rcur to.6635,ip to 900kA

plasma, some early runaways again.
another bouncer, gets to 50Ka and hits outside.

next shot: raise fill, nl4 to 9e19.
Nov 6 2000 12:55:34:247PM1001106013Steve Wolfeshot#13: raise fill to 22msec, raise nl4 to 9e19.
clearin ramp earlier to divert earlier, ZXl from -.02 to -.03
turn on Argon.

plasma, full length, eda until injection at .87sec,
current rise is fast, but doesn't bounce, no runaways.
D faults out, so does J, E only a few faults.

next shot: higher triangularity
Nov 6 2000 01:23:30:640PM1001106014Steve Wolfeshot#14: rxl,rxu to -.04
early disruption. EF2U goes to zero early.
Startup nearly didn't make it, hesitates at 50kA then hits at 20msec
and barely recovers.

next shot: drop ic_ef4 in seg 3 from -2000 to -1000, slow down ramp in of RXx
Nov 6 2000 01:43:46:873PM1001106015Steve Wolfeshot#15: drop ic_ef4 from -2000 to -1000, slow down ramp in of RXx
fizzle. Not surprising after the disruption.
Breakdown a little late, zcur positive again. slowish current rise,
snuffs inside.

Nov 6 2000 01:53:51:937PM1001106016Steve Wolfeshot#16: drop ic_ef4 from -2000 to -1000, slow down ramp in of RXx

and another fizzle. still looks like it's on the inner wall to me.
I could wait one more, or tweak something. Br is coming back up, but
zcur still reads positive, whatever that means.
Nov 6 2000 02:04:33:530PM1001106017Steve Wolfeshot#17: drop seg 3 ic_ef4 from -1000 to -500,
slow down ramp in of RXx until .5sec

It doesn't come back on its own. Need to do something

Nov 6 2000 02:06:39:857PM1001106017Steve Wolfeshot#17: drop seg 3 ic_ef4 from -1000 to -500,
slow down ramp in of RXx until .5sec

It doesn't come back on its own. Need to do something
This one got to over 40kA, shouldn't lose that!
Still inside, still positive zcur.

Nov 6 2000 02:32:10:670PM1001106018Steve Wolfeshot#18: Br to .0025
drop seg 3 ic_ef4 from -1000 to -500,
slow down ramp in of RXx until .5sec

plasma, full length, four h-modes.
This one ran too far out, bounced, but survived.
zcur still starts positive.

next shot: increase triang. again
Nov 6 2000 03:28:32:657PM1001106020Steve Wolfeshot#20: Sweep triangularity after .8 sec (-.06 -> +.04)
drop pg4 from 24 to 22 msec (post-disruption)

After shot 19 State aborted and SPANNA crashed; therefore we have had a
long delay.

plasma, full length; 6 h-modes. du from .8 to .4, dl from .4 ->.2
Nov 6 2000 03:51:21:590PM1001106021Steve Wolfeshot#21: reduce upper sweep to +.03 to keep off gusset,
increase lower sweep to .06, also change Ip 900->800,
to keep q nearly constant. No change to startup this time.

plasma, full length, multiple H-modes.

next shot: constant Ip, ramp field up.
Nov 6 2000 04:18:11:920PM1001106022Steve Wolfeshot#22:Ip=900, ramp tf from 150->165; increase puff to 24msec

plasma, full length. four h-modes, q looks pretty constant.

next shot: same, ask for more RF power.
Nov 6 2000 04:41:37:280PM1001106023Steve Wolfeshot#23:Ip=900, ramp tf from 150->165, a little faster;
plasma, full length, four h-modes; 1.7MW

next shot: high triang., with current ramp
Nov 6 2000 05:07:01:640PM1001106024Steve Wolfeshot#24: seg3 from #19 (hi triang, no sweep), rap Ip from .9->.8

plasma, full length, breakdown slightly late.
three H-modes, all EDA.

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
108:59:50:920AMPlasmaOk
209:16:20:000AMPlasmaOk
309:29:41:420AMPlasmaOk
409:43:43:483AMPlasmaOk
509:56:54:420AMPlasmaOk
610:12:14:717AMPlasmaOk
710:35:52:670AMPlasmaOk
810:58:29:997AMPlasmaOk
911:12:00:043AMPlasmaOk
1011:34:33:217AMPlasmaOk
1111:55:41:107AMPlasmaOk
1212:19:34:340PMPlasmaOk
1312:44:37:513PMPlasmaOk
1401:10:45:000PMPlasmaOk
1501:34:42:310PMPlasmaOk
1601:48:45:983PMPlasmaOk
1702:02:57:373PMPlasmaOk
1802:22:16:997PMPlasmaOk
1902:48:22:403PMPlasmaOk
2003:20:10:840PMPlasmaOk
2103:44:43:623PMPlasmaOk
2204:10:45:047PMPlasmaOk
2304:36:17:153PMPlasmaOk
2405:01:31:640PMPlasmaOk