Alcator C-Mod Run 1001222 Information

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Miniproposals
Miniproposal:272a
Date Filed: 5/18/2000
Title:Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion
First Author:E. Nelson Melby
Session Leader:E. Nelson Melby (shots 1-10)

Operators
Session leader(s):E. Nelson Melby
Physics operator(s):Robert Granetz
Engineering operator(s):Gary Dekow

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP#272A Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion SL:Melby PO: Granetz EO:D

Session Leader Plans

Physics Operators Plans

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 03:49:26:100PM
Author: To Be Determined
Session Leader summary for run 1001222

MP #272A Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion
Session leader: Eric Nelson-Melby


Using the PCI in high-resolution mode, we will run plasmas consisting of
hydrogen, deuterium, and helium-3 to look for mode conversion near the
center of the plasma. The mode conversion layer becomes more of a
vertical line as the poloidal field is reduced, so we will scan down in
current, starting at 0.4 MA and going lower, if possible, and then up to 0.6.
Other parameters and settings: Btor=5.8 T, nl_04=0.5e20 m-2, lower single
null, L-mode, Prf=1 MW. If we get into H-mode, then we'll switch to limited.

---------------------------------

Ion Bernstein Wave (and possibly fast magnetosonic wave) signal was seen
on the PCI today, and there are indications of off-axis direct electron
heating from the RF modulation later in the shot.

Shots 1-5 were to get the plasma with the strange mix of Helium-3, Hydrogen
and Deuterium started.

Shot 6 -- weak signal (low RF power) was seen at around 68 cm, which
then moved as expected when final mirror in the PCI laser system was
swept back and forth to get more coverage. Lots of Helium, and
H/D is large. Next shot, try to reduce Helium a bit, and raise RF power.
Also raise B field a bit to try to bring mode conversion layer further
within PCI window.

Shot 7 -- Stronger signal seen around 67 to 68 cm, during high
RF power portion at .9 to 1 second. k spectrum indicates possibly
fast wave (low k number <1 cm^-1) and IBW (high k number about 7 cm^-1)
are both present in PCI window.

Shot 8 -- RF power now about 1.2 MW on D and E initially, D on longer.
PCI signal seems to be more uniform across a few channels, rather than
spread out in separate chunks as at higher current in 1000623 run.
k spectrum shows clear IBW signal at about .55 seconds, and again
between .75 and .8 seconds. Density stayed more constant (and at a
fairly low level).

Shot 9 -- We tried to move the PCI laser
to see if the mode conversion region extended further to the
high field side, but unfortunately the pre-amplifiers were off.
This shot can still be used for electron break-in-slope analysis
to see off-axis electron heating from localized damping of the IBW.

Shot 10 -- raised RF power even further. Strong signal (8 times
background level) and localized near 67 cm. k spectrum indicates
IBW -- only positive k of about 7 cm^-1 is present (no negative
k, i.e. phase velocity only going towards the antenna, showing
the backwards propagating nature of the IBW). Later, during the
mirror sweeping period, the signal seems to disappear and
briefly reappear at .94 seconds, which would seem to indicate
that the signal is well localized in one major radius clump,
as we had hoped by going to lower current.

Though there were few shots, they helped confirm some of the
TORIC code modelling that has been done since the June 23rd run
when these IBW signals were first seen on the PCI.
Only one current (about 400 kA) and one field (about 5.9 T)
was tried, not three or four currents and a B field sweep
as in the run plan, but still very interesting and useful
data was obtained.

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 04:37:12:940PM
Author: To Be Determined
Physics operator summary for run 1001222 (Friday):

MP #272A Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion

Session leader: Eric Nelson-Melby
Physics operator: R. Granetz

Summary: Loss of the 13.8 kV experimental power last night caused the run
to be delayed until after 14:00. In addition, the first 5 shots
were fizzles and duds. So we only got five good plasma discharges
for Eric's MP. The successful breakdowns had unusually high fill
pressure, unusually high Br0, and unusually late breakdown times.
Fortunately, the shots we got had the desired parameters, and the
PCI was working well, and the IBW was clearly seen. See Eric's
run summary to find out more about the physics results.

Scorecard: 5 plasmas
2 fizzles
3 duds
0 test
0 aborted and/or screwed up by computer problems
----------
10 total

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering setup:

ECDC in H2 overnight on Wednesday (two nights before run), followed by
ECDC in He4 on Thursday (the day before the run), ending by evening.
No ECDC overnight before the run. Just let the machine pump.

Power systems as on 1001220017, except increase TF limit to 175 kA.

Gas setup:
fill B-top with 6 psi of D2 Hybrid enabled (PG4)
fill B-side lower with 1 psi of Ar Hybrid DISABLED (PG1)
fill B-side upper with 16 psi of He3 Hybrid enabled (PG2)
fill C-side with 30 psi of H2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)
fill J-bottom with 30 psi of D2 Hybrid DISABLED (PG5)

Enable the following gate valves: ECE, VUV, Beast, DNB

Run starts at 09:00 and ends at 17:00.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RF Setup:

XMTRs 1 and 2 should be made ready by 8:00 (run-on). J-port will not be used

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Run Plan:

MP #272A Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion
Session leader: Eric Nelson-Melby

Using the PCI in high-resolution mode, we will run plasmas consisting of
hydrogen, deuterium, and helium-3 to look for mode conversion near the
center of the plasma. The mode conversion layer becomes more of a
vertical line as the poloidal field is reduced, so we will scan down in
current, starting at 0.4 MA and going lower, if possible, and then up to 0.6.
Other parameters and settings: Btor=5.8 T, nl_04=0.5e20 m-2, lower single
null, L-mode, Prf=1 MW. If we get into H-mode, then we'll switch to limited.

Re-load segment 1 from 1001220021 (a good recent startup). Re-load
segment 2 from 1001215024 (0.8 MA, 5.3 T, NL_ZMETER, CLEARIN offset =
12700), but change Ip to 0.4 MA, NL_ZMETER wire back to TCI nl_04 (copy
from segment 3 of the same shot), increase Btor to 5.8 T (165 kA), set
nl_04 to 5e19 m-2. Density feedback will initially use only the hydrogen
valve, with a preprogrammed waveform for the He3 valve, taken from shot
1000623009. Also, prepare a similar limited plasma in segment 3, just in
case we can't stay in L-mode.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overnight ECDC in H2 was done the night before last.
Daytime ECDC in He4 was done yesterday.
No ECDC was done last night. Machine just pumped overnight.

Hybrid coldstart done; no errors found

See previous comment for details of PCS programming setup.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#42 of 43 OPS
Date: 22-DEC-2000 07:13 Expires: 23-DEC-2000 07:10
From: BAROLO::WOLFE
Subj: Run Delayed

Experimental power (CELCO/NSTAR) went down last night, and is still out; the
utility is looking for the fault in their lines, and hopes to restore 13.8kV
service by 10:00 AM today. This meana that the alternator will not be
available for operations until at least 13:00.
BULLETIN>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The run started just after 14:00

Shot 01 -- Dud.

Next shot: add +10 A to IC_EF4 and 4 ms to pre-fill puff (D2)

Shot 02 -- Fizzle. Strong one (60 kA). Lost it vertically. Late breakdown.

Next shot: no changes

Shot 03 -- Dud.

Next shot: add 2 more ms to pre-fill, add +0.3 mT to Br0

Shot 04 -- Fizzle. Just like shot 2.

Next shot: add +5 mT to Br0 (on Steve's urging)

Shot 05 -- Dud.

Next shot: subtract 10 A from IC_EF4, add 2 ms to pre-fill.

Shot 06 -- Plasma. Good shot. Ip=0.4 MA, Btor=5.85 T, nl_04=0.5-0.9e20 m-2.
Prf=0.5-1.0 MW. Plasma came close to being limited between
t=0.5-1.0 s, which is not what was programmed.

Next shot: move RCUR in by 5 mm between t=0.5 and 1.0 s. Reduce
He3 puff. Increase Btor to 5.95 T (167 kA).

Shot 07 -- Plasma. Good shot. nl_04=0.5-0.8e20 m-2. Btor=5.94 T. Prf=1 MW.
We had better control of outer gap on this shot.

Next shot: more tweaking of RCUR from t=0.8 to 1.0 s. Reduce He3
maintenance level from 35 to 30 volts.

Shot 08 -- Plasma. Good shot. nl_04 stays constant at 0.55e20 m-2.
Prf=1.3 MW, fairly constant. Plasma touched outer limiter around
t=1 s.

Next shot: repeat with a slight RCUR tweak starting at t=1 s.
Move PCI beam.

Shot 09 -- Plasma. Good shot. Right gap stayed at 1 cm or larger for the
entire shot. Breakdown Br0 and Bz are both drifting higher.

Next shot: reduce IC_EF4 by 5 A and reduce Br0 by 0.2 mT.

Shot 10 -- Plasma. Good shot. There was a big injection at t=1.24 s, but this
is after the PCI data window. Steve Wolfe reports that this occurs
when OH1 comes out of crossover. (It's late in the shot because
we're running low plasma currents today.)

End of run

Session Leader Comments
Dec 22 2000 02:18:15:733PM1001222001E. Nelson Melby1st attempt: low current, only D port at about 750 kW. Try to see IBW signal by sweeping mirror
at end of PCI time window.

Fizzle.
Dec 22 2000 02:34:24:340PM1001222002E. Nelson Melby1st attempt: low current, only D port at about 750 kW. Try to see IBW signal by sweeping mirror
at end of PCI time window.

fizzle, but higher current (60 kA)
Dec 22 2000 02:43:41:187PM1001222003E. Nelson MelbyDud.
Dec 22 2000 03:53:09:780PM1001222006E. Nelson MelbyLow current, only D port at about 750 kW. (And a short E port pulse to get the tune).
Try to see IBW signal by sweeping mirror at end of PCI time window.
Faint signal there -- raise power, improve tune, shorten He3 gas puff.
Dec 22 2000 04:22:48:763PM1001222007E. Nelson MelbyRF power increased a bit, some hint of PCI signal at D port frequency -- could be just fast
wave, but some IBW possible with k = +7 cm^-1 also.
Dec 22 2000 05:39:39:467PM1001222008E. Nelson MelbyIBW signal present at 350 kHz (corresponding to D port 80.5 MHz).
Density stayed more constant. Raise RF power.
Dec 22 2000 05:40:02:437PM1001222009E. Nelson MelbyPower on D and E raised, extended E port shot. Good power modulation.
Dec 22 2000 05:42:29:873PM1001222010E. Nelson MelbyGood signal around 67 cm, when PCI mirror was swept, signal goes away (indicating good
localization of IBW). k number about 7 or 8 cm^-1, strong signal present from about .5 sec to .8 sec.

Physics Operator Comments
Dec 21 2000 10:56:52:000AMRobert GranetzEngineering setup:

ECDC in H2 overnight on Wednesday (two nights before run), followed by
ECDC in He4 on Thursday (the day before the run), ending by evening.
No ECDC overnight before the run. Just let the machine pump.

Power systems as on 1001220017, except increase TF limit to 175 kA.

Gas setup:
fill B-top with 6 psi of D2 Hybrid enabled (PG4)
fill B-side lower with 1 psi of Ar Hybrid DISABLED (PG1)
fill B-side upper with 16 psi of He3 Hybrid enabled (PG2)
fill C-side with 30 psi of H2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)
fill J-bottom with 30 psi of D2 Hybrid DISABLED (PG5)

Enable the following gate valves: ECE, VUV, Beast, DNB

Run starts at 09:00 and ends at 17:00.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RF Setup:

XMTRs 1 and 2 should be made ready by 8:00 (run-on). J-port will not be used

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 21 2000 11:00:44:857AMRobert GranetzRun Plan:

MP #272A Investigation of ICRF Mode Conversion
Session leader: Eric Nelson-Melby

Using the PCI in high-resolution mode, we will run plasmas consisting of
hydrogen, deuterium, and helium-3 to look for mode conversion near the
center of the plasma. The mode conversion layer becomes more of a
vertical line as the poloidal field is reduced, so we will scan down in
current, starting at 0.4 MA and going lower, if possible, and then up to 0.6.
Other parameters and settings: Btor=5.8 T, nl_04=0.5e20 m-2, lower single
null, L-mode, Prf=1 MW. If we get into H-mode, then we'll switch to limited.

Re-load segment 1 from 1001220021 (a good recent startup). Re-load
segment 2 from 1001215024 (0.8 MA, 5.3 T, NL_ZMETER, CLEARIN offset =
12700), but change Ip to 0.4 MA, NL_ZMETER wire back to TCI nl_04 (copy
from segment 3 of the same shot), increase Btor to 5.8 T (165 kA), set
nl_04 to 5e19 m-2. Density feedback will initially use only the hydrogen
valve, with a preprogrammed waveform for the He3 valve, taken from shot
1000623009. Also, prepare a similar limited plasma in segment 3, just in
case we can't stay in L-mode.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 22 2000 08:12:24:390AMRobert Granetz Overnight ECDC in H2 was done the night before last.
Daytime ECDC in He4 was done yesterday.
No ECDC was done last night. Machine just pumped overnight.

Hybrid coldstart done; no errors found

See previous comment for details of PCS programming setup.
Dec 22 2000 08:13:36:233AMRobert Granetz #43 of 44 OPS
Date: 22-DEC-2000 07:13 Expires: 23-DEC-2000 07:10
From: BAROLO::WOLFE
Subj: Run Delayed

Experimental power (CELCO/NSTAR) went down last night, and is still out; the
utility is looking for the fault in their lines, and hopes to restore 13.8kV
service by 10:00 AM today. This meana that the alternator will not be
available for operations until at least 13:00.
BULLETIN>
Dec 22 2000 02:21:05:590PM1001222001Robert GranetzShot 01 -- Dud.

Next shot: add +10 A to IC_EF4 and 4 ms to pre-fill puff (D2)
Dec 22 2000 02:52:24:090PM1001222002Robert GranetzShot 02 -- Fizzle. Strong one (60 kA). Lost it vertically. Late breakdown.

Next shot: no changes
Dec 22 2000 02:52:11:513PM1001222003Robert GranetzShot 03 -- Dud.

Next shot: add 2 more ms to pre-fill, add +0.3 mT to Br0
Dec 22 2000 03:09:14:717PM1001222004Robert GranetzShot 04 -- Fizzle. Just like shot 2.

Next shot: add +5 mT to Br0 (on Steve's urging)
Dec 22 2000 03:25:57:030PM1001222005Robert GranetzShot 05 -- Dud.

Next shot: subtract 10 A from IC_EF4, add 2 ms to pre-fill.
Dec 22 2000 03:59:20:810PM1001222006Robert GranetzShot 06 -- Plasma. Good shot. Ip=0.4 MA, Btor=5.85 T, nl_04=0.5-0.9e20 m-2.
Prf=0.5-1.0 MW. Plasma came close to being limited between
t=0.5-1.0 s, which is not what was programmed.

Next shot: move RCUR in by 5 mm between t=0.5 and 1.0 s. Reduce
He3 puff. Increase Btor to 5.95 T (167 kA).
Dec 22 2000 04:17:50:170PM1001222007Robert GranetzShot 07 -- Plasma. Good shot. nl_04=0.5-0.8e20 m-2. Btor=5.94 T. Prf=1 MW.
We had better control of outer gap on this shot.

Next shot: more tweaking of RCUR from t=0.8 to 1.0 s. Reduce He3
maintenance level from 35 to 30 volts.
Dec 22 2000 04:45:00:623PM1001222008Robert GranetzShot 08 -- Plasma. Good shot. nl_04 stays constant at 0.55e20 m-2.
Prf=1.3 MW, fairly constant. Plasma touched outer limiter around
t=1 s.

Next shot: repeat with a slight RCUR tweak starting at t=1 s.
Move PCI beam.
Dec 22 2000 05:02:07:543PM1001222009Robert GranetzShot 09 -- Plasma. Good shot. Right gap stayed at 1 cm or larger for the
entire shot. Breakdown Br0 and Bz are both drifting higher.

Next shot: reduce IC_EF4 by 5 A and reduce Br0 by 0.2 mT.
Dec 22 2000 05:31:27:187PM1001222010Robert GranetzShot 10 -- Plasma. Good shot. There was a big injection at t=1.24 s, but this
is after the PCI data window. Steve Wolfe reports that this occurs
when OH1 comes out of crossover. (It's late in the shot because
we're running low plasma currents today.)

End of run

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
102:11:57:217PMPlasmaOk
202:25:41:903PMPlasmaOk
302:41:24:450PMPlasmaOk
402:59:10:857PMPlasmaOk
503:18:05:250PMPlasmaOk
603:36:34:280PMPlasmaOk
704:00:40:577PMPlasmaOk
804:25:06:233PMPlasmaOk
904:50:44:513PMPlasmaOk
1005:14:37:530PMPlasmaOk