Alcator C-Mod Run 1040219 Information

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Miniproposals
Miniproposal:385
Date Filed: 2/3/2004
Title:Edge rotation and the L/H threshold - dependence on known scaling parameters
First Author:Martin Greenwald
Session Leader:Martin Greenwald (shots 1-26)

Operators
Session leader(s):Martin Greenwald
Physics operator(s):Ron Parker,Joseph Snipes
Engineering operator(s): Unknown

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP# 385 Edge Rotation and LH Treshold/Greenwald/Parker/&Friends

Session Leader Plans

Physics Operators Plans

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 03:49:02:837PM
Author: Martin Greenwald
MP 385

Phys Op: Parker/Snipes
Session Leader: Greenwald

Plan:

We want to extend studies which correlate flows and the L/H threshold
to look at the effects of parameters which are observed to be
important in the threshold scaling.

The general approach will be similar to mp 375 but with PRF fixed at
just above the power threshold with a very slow ramp and with SSEP
varied from shot to shot. We need to give the plasma time to evolve
before the transition to accurately determine threshold parameters.
Discharges which transition promptly to H-mode are not very useful for
these studies.

Given previous results, we can choose the SSEP values to be -5, 0 and
+5 mm (We won't have enough power to get an H-mode for upper null
discharges at higher densities, so these cases will be skipped for
now.). This experiment would then be repeated for different plasma
conditions. The parameter scans to be performed would be roughly
nebar = 1.2, 2.0, 3.0 , BT = 5.4 and Ip = 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 MA.



Results:

We were able to reproduce previous results at lower densities but did
not have much luck at higher densities. The RF had the usual problems
with neutral pressure at high densities. As we lowered the density to
allow operation of the antennas at high power, the threshold dropped
leading to prompt transitions. We were unable to find a combination of
parameters which put us close to the threshold at densities much above
1.5 x 10^20.


Shots for further analysis:

target
Shot SSEP Prf Vphi density Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------
1040219002 -0.5 cm 0.8-1.2 0 km/s 1.5 No H-mode
1040219003 -0.5 1.0-1.4 0 1.4 No H-mode
1040219004 -0.8 1.0-1.4 0 1.4 No H-mode
1040219005 -1.2 1.0-1.4 0 -10 1.3 No H-mode
1040219006 -1.2 1.2-1.3 -20 0 1.4 Late H-mode
1040219008 +1.3 2.3-2.4 -20 0 1.1 H-mode
1040219009 +1.3 2.3-2.5 -25 0 1.2 No H-mode

1040219010 +1.3 2.6-3.0 -40 0 1.35 No H-mode (RF trips)
1040219011 +1.3 3.5-4.0 -35 -15 1.4 H-Modes
1040219013 -1.3 0.6-0.8 0 1.5 No H-mode
1040219015 -1.3 1.3-1.9 0 2.0 No H-mode (RF trips)

1040219020 -1.3 1.6-2.0 -15 0 1.9 No H-mode (RF trips)
1040219021 -1.2 1.9 0 1.9 Prompt H-mode
1040219022 -1.3 1.8-2.0 -20 -10 1.8 Prompt H-mode
1040219023 -1.3 1.7-2.8 -20 -10 1.8 Prompt H-mode
1040219024 -1.3 1.5-3.0 -20 -10 2.0 Prompt H-mode
1040219026 -1.3 1.2-2.0 0 1.8 No H-mode (RF trips)





Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 04:36:49:020PM
Author: Joseph Snipes
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Physop Summary 1040219

This run featured switching back and forth between lower and upper null
equilibria with variable ssep. The ssep control works very well and allows
the PO to dial the desired configuration with ease.

Due to Parker's teaching commitments and need to prepare PAC talk,, Joe
Snipes took over as PO at 1:00 and finished the run. Until shot 15 the machine
ran fairly well, with a few disruptions when the configuration was changed
from lower to upper single null. After Joe took over,a data system problem
developed that delayed the run for 2 hours. The run resumed at approximately
3:00. In the remainder of the day, the shots went off as planned but often
disrupted before full current rampdown.

Scorecard:

26 Shots, 3 lost due to data system test or failure, 1 lost to eng operator
error, 5 disruptions before rampdown, 2 fizzles and the rest (15) useful.


Engineering Setup and Run Plan 1040219

Purpose: MP 385 Edge Rotation and LH Threshold - Dependence on Known
Scaling Parameters

Session leaders: Greenwald

Physop: Parker and Friends

Engineering Setup:

ECDC Overnight in D2, stopping by 07:00
Run Begins at 09:00 and ends at 17:00

Power Supplies as on 1040123012

Gas System Setup:
fill B-Top with 6 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG4)
fill B-side lower with 1 psi Ar Hybrid enabled (PG1)
leave B-side upper as is Hybrid DISABLED (PG2)
fill C-side with 30 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)
fill NINJA (lower cap) with 5 psi He

All diagnostic valves (ECE, VUV, DNB) Enabled
assuming no vacuum problems

RF: Transmitters #1,2,3 and 4 in RUN-ON by 08:00

Run Plan

1. Start with:
Ip = 0.8 MA, BT = 5.6 T (If we get HECE data, otherwise drop to 5.4 T
nebar = 1.4e20
Prf = 0.8 to 1.0 MW (very slow ramp starting at 0.5 sec, going to 1.5 sec)
Equilibrium from 1040123021 (ssep = -0.5 cm)

2. Then run 1040123021 (ssep = +0.3 cm) equilibrium
Prf = 2.5 to 3.0 MW over same ramp time

3. Then nebar is increased to 2.2e20 and ssep set back to -0.5 cm
Prf = 1.3 to 1.6 MW

4. Bring ssep back to +0.3 cm and Prf ramps from 3.5 to 4.0 MW

We'll take stock of the situation at this point. If time, we'll repeat
1 & 2 but at 0.6 MA and then at 1.0 MA.





Session Leader Comments
Feb 19 2004 08:56:24:170AMMartin GreenwaldMP 385 L-H scaling and rotation
Session Leader - Greenwald
Physop - Parker

Background

Recent work has revealed a connection between self-generated core and SOL flows,
topology and the L/H threshold. The work has suggested a novel
hypothesis for the dependence of the H-mode power threshold on the gradB drift
direction. This 0$^{th}$ order effect, which roughly doubles the required
power to acheve H-mode when the ion drift is in the direction away from a single
null x-point, may be understood as the result of two rotation components which
add or subtract depending on topology. The first is SOL flow which is driven
in a direction determined by topology as parallel transport attempts to
symmetrize poloidally asymmetric cross-field transport (ballooning) and which
couples across the separatrix into the core plasma. The second is topology
independent and increases (increments) monotonically in the co-current direction
as the plasma pressure increases. The H-mode threshold could then be understood
as a critical edge flow (or flow gradient) which requires very different input
powers in the two cases.

For the conditions studied, 0.8 MA, 5.4 T and 1.2-1.6 x 10$^{20}$, the
transition occurs when core toroidal rotation reaches about 0 for USN, LSN and
DN plasmas. (In contrast to input power or edge temperature which vary strongly
with topology. [3]) To make a connection to the broader issues of the L/H
threshold, we would like to determine if this picture holds for other plasma
conditions and particularly to measure dependence on parameters which are
known to be important for the L/H power threshold, namely n and B.


Approach


The general approach will be similar to mp 375 but with PRF fixed at just above
the power threshold (or perhaps with a very slow ramp) and with
SSEP varied from shot to shot. Given previous results, we can choose the SSEP values to
be -5, 0 and +5 mm (We won't have enough power to get an H-mode for upper null discharges
at higher densities, so these cases will be skipped for now.).
This experiment would then be repeated for different plasma conditions.
The parameter scans to be performed would be roughly nebar = 1.2, 2.0, 3.0 ,
BT = 5.7 and Ip = 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 MA.


Plan

1.
We want to start with:

Ip = 0.8
Bt = 5.6 (If we are getting HECE data, otherwise we drop back to 5.4)
nebar = 1.4
Prf = 0.8 -> 1.0 MW (very slow ramp starting at 0.5 sec going to 1.5 seconds)
The equilibrium should be as 1040123012 (ssep = -0.5cm)

........................
2.

Then we go to equilibrium 1040123021 (ssep = +0.3cm)
Prf = 2.5 -> 3.0 MW (same ramp times)

.....................
3.

then nebar goes to 2.2
ssep = -0.5
Prf = 1.3 -> 1.6 MW

................
4.

then ssep goes back to +0.3
Prf = 3.5 -> 4.0 MW

.............

We'll see where we are at that point. If there is time we will repeat steps 1 and 2 but at 0.6 MA
then at 1.0 MA
Feb 19 2004 05:59:42:380PMMartin Greenwald
Results:

We were able to reproduce previous results at lower densities but did
not have much luck at higher densities. The RF had the usual problems
with neutral pressure at high densities. As we lowered the density to
allow operation of the antennas at high power, the threshold dropped
leading to prompt transitions. We were unable to find a combination of
parameters which put us close to the threshold at densities much above
1.5 x 10^20.


Shots for further analysis:

target
Shot SSEP Prf Vphi density Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------
1040219002 -0.5 cm 0.8-1.2 0 km/s 1.5 No H-mode
1040219003 -0.5 1.0-1.4 0 1.4 No H-mode
1040219004 -0.8 1.0-1.4 0 1.4 No H-mode
1040219005 -1.2 1.0-1.4 0 -10 1.3 No H-mode
1040219006 -1.2 1.2-1.3 -20 0 1.4 Late H-mode
1040219008 +1.3 2.3-2.4 -20 0 1.1 H-mode
1040219009 +1.3 2.3-2.5 -25 0 1.2 No H-mode

1040219010 +1.3 2.6-3.0 -40 0 1.35 No H-mode (RF trips)
1040219011 +1.3 3.5-4.0 -35 -15 1.4 H-Modes
1040219013 -1.3 0.6-0.8 0 1.5 No H-mode
1040219015 -1.3 1.3-1.9 0 2.0 No H-mode (RF trips)

1040219020 -1.3 1.6-2.0 -15 0 1.9 No H-mode (RF trips)
1040219021 -1.2 1.9 0 1.9 Prompt H-mode
1040219022 -1.3 1.8-2.0 -20 -10 1.8 Prompt H-mode
1040219023 -1.3 1.7-2.8 -20 -10 1.8 Prompt H-mode
1040219024 -1.3 1.5-3.0 -20 -10 2.0 Prompt H-mode
1040219026 -1.3 1.2-2.0 0 1.8 No H-mode (RF trips)


Feb 19 2004 09:05:51:430AM1040219001Martin GreenwaldNo TF
Feb 19 2004 09:21:40:960AM1040219002Martin GreenwaldGood shot, but no H-mode
Prf .85 - 1.1 (raising by .15 for next shot)
Feb 19 2004 09:35:26:217AM1040219003Martin GreenwaldGood shot - but still no H-mode
Prf to 1.05 - 1.35

SSep = -0.5 cm but probes show symmetric flows
Feb 19 2004 09:59:40:470AM1040219004Martin GreenwaldSSEP to -0.8 cm still no H-mode
Feb 19 2004 10:27:32:540AM1040219005Martin GreenwaldSSEP to -1.2 cm still no H-mode

Edge temperature is pretty hot
inner wall flows are small
Feb 19 2004 10:54:52:653AM1040219006Martin GreenwaldGot an H-mode late
Prf at 1.3 MW Ptot to 1.9 at transition

Core rotation starts -40 km/sec ramps to 0 at transition
edge flow is somewhat counter to start tending to co with RF power
Feb 19 2004 10:55:05:390AM1040219007Martin GreenwaldEarly disruption
Feb 19 2004 11:05:36:723AM1040219008Martin GreenwaldDisrupted early

Feb 19 2004 11:31:58:603AM1040219010Martin GreenwaldPlasma lasted full length
no H-mode
ssep +1.3 cm
Feb 19 2004 11:54:00:167AM1040219011Martin Greenwaldtwo h-modes
ssep = +1.3cm
Prf = 3.5 to 3.9

Got rotation data
Feb 19 2004 11:59:59:437AM1040219012Martin GreenwaldFizzle
Feb 19 2004 12:15:49:827PM1040219013Martin GreenwaldBack to lower null
ssep = -1.2 cm
density to 1.8
RF tripped, only limited power
Feb 19 2004 12:28:01:897PM1040219014Martin Greenwaldfizzle
Feb 19 2004 12:45:00:830PM1040219015Martin GreenwaldGood shot - but no H-mode
not enough power yet

nebar to 2.1
Feb 19 2004 01:35:09:870PM1040219016Martin Greenwaldno H-mode
daq problems
Feb 19 2004 01:50:18:773PM1040219016Martin Greenwalddata system problems
Feb 19 2004 03:17:38:373PM1040219020Martin GreenwaldRF still tripping at this density
no H-mode
Feb 19 2004 03:35:50:137PM1040219021Martin GreenwaldGot 2 brief h-modes early
ssep = -1.2 cm
Prf at 2 MW
Feb 19 2004 03:57:35:533PM1040219022Martin GreenwaldAnother early H-mode followed by disruption

Feb 19 2004 04:24:31:420PM1040219023Martin GreenwaldEarly H-mode
Feb 19 2004 04:34:17:747PM1040219024Martin GreenwaldRaised density to 2 - H-mode still early
Feb 19 2004 04:44:09:370PM1040219025Martin Greenwaldvery early disruption
Feb 19 2004 04:58:41:957PM1040219026Martin Greenwaldno H-modes
Prf = 1.2 to 1.8 then starts tripping

Physics Operator Comments
Feb 19 2004 09:33:37:717AM1040219001Ron ParkerFor the first shot, shot 1040123012 is loaded
Shot did not go -- TF was not enabled.
Feb 19 2004 09:33:21:543AM1040219002Ron ParkerShot 2 ran well as programmed.
Feb 19 2004 09:35:24:170AM1040219003Ron ParkerShot 3 ran well. Next shot: decrease ssep by 3-4 mm to ~-0.8
Feb 19 2004 09:50:57:120AM1040219004Ron ParkerShot 4 ran well with ssep decreased by 3 mm -- from -5 to -8 mm.

Next shot: decrease ssep by 3 more mm.
Feb 19 2004 10:15:59:610AM1040219004Ron ParkerThere is a delay to try to get Z-meter up.
Feb 19 2004 10:28:57:790AM1040219005Ron ParkerDelay was about 10 minutes.

Shot ran well, with a glitch in current at 0.12 sec.

Next: Same shot, higher RF power.
Feb 19 2004 10:41:41:567AM1040219006Ron ParkerShot 6 ran well -- glitch went away as did injection.
Next: ssep = +1 cm
Feb 19 2004 10:49:49:320AM1040219007Ron ParkerShot disrupted, tried to make upper null equilibrium.
Next: reload shot 1040123033
Feb 19 2004 11:12:44:480AM1040219008Ron ParkerShot 8 ran to 0.8 sec before disrupting.

This is an upper null discharge -- impurity generation from top divertor?

Next: Run shot again, raise density to 0.9, increase fill pulse by 2 ms
Feb 19 2004 11:24:28:253AM1040219009Ron ParkerShot 9 also disrupted at 0.8 sec. Density was not increased as advertised.
Next shot will have density increased to 0.9 on n_e.L(4)
Feb 19 2004 11:35:42:123AM1040219010Ron ParkerSuccess -- upper null discharge produced without disruption. Density was increased to 0.9e20.
Next: Increase RF power.
Feb 19 2004 11:53:52:073AM1040219011Ron ParkerShot 11 ran OK, but disrupted at 1.4 sec, late enough to get data.

Next shot: Reload shot 1040219006, ssep -1.2
Feb 19 2004 12:04:03:363PM1040219012Ron ParkerShot 12 was a fizzle, possibly because of disruption late in shot 11.

Next: Shot 1040219006 again loaded, density set for 1.2e20 and fill gas
increased by 2 ms.
Feb 19 2004 12:24:05:753PM1040219013Ron ParkerShot 13 ran OK, lower null. Disrupted on current fall.
Next: Same as 13, with slightly higher desnity.
Feb 19 2004 12:30:10:617PM1040219014Ron ParkerShot 14 fizzled, again probably due to disruption on rampdown in previous shot.
Try again
Feb 19 2004 12:58:38:547PM1040219015Ron Parker
Shot 15 ran well, still disrupting on current rampdown. Moved density rampdown earlier for the next shot to
attempt to reduce the density and avoid the disruption.
Feb 19 2004 01:07:12:083PM1040219016Ron ParkerShot 16: Good shot though it disrupted in the rampdown again. There will be a 20 - 30 minute delay to resolve
a computer problem.
Feb 19 2004 02:59:22:203PM1040219017Ron ParkerShot 17: Reduced nl04 to 1.2 x 10^20 m^-2. Data system failed.
Feb 19 2004 03:00:20:923PM1040219018Ron ParkerShot 18: Data system test.
Feb 19 2004 03:00:36:423PM1040219019Ron ParkerShot 19: Another data system test.
Feb 19 2004 03:13:00:743PM1040219020Ron ParkerShot 20: Good shot. Disrupted later in the rampdown due to the lower density.
Feb 19 2004 03:31:44:930PM1040219021Ron ParkerShot 21: Reduced nl04 to 1.1 x 10^20 m^-2 and reduced pre-programmed gas puff at 0.3 s to attempt to reduce the
neutral pressure to improve J-port operation. Also extended Ip out to 2.5 s and reduced the decay rate
of Ip in the rampdown. Good shot. Disrupted later in the rampdown at about 1.84 s at 0.4 MA.
Feb 19 2004 03:53:25:573PM1040219022Ron ParkerShot 22: Disrupted at 0.92 s in the middle of the H-mode. Appears that something fell into the plasma
to cause the disruption.
Feb 19 2004 04:12:24:090PM1040219023Ron ParkerShot 23: Good shot. Nice long H-mode throughout the RF pulse.
Feb 19 2004 04:26:21:377PM1040219024Ron ParkerShot 24: Made RCUR ramp inward after 1.5 s to push the plasma against the inner wall to prevent the disruption
in the rampdown. Increased nl04 to 1.2 x 10^20 m^-2. Good shot. Disrupted earlier in the rampdown
at 1.77 s.
Feb 19 2004 04:49:56:507PM1040219025Ron ParkerShot 25: Adjusted ZXU and ZXL to reduce the elongation in the rampdown and ramped RCUR and RXL in a bit faster as
well. Disrupted at 0.36 s. Plasma started down at 0.32 s and the bolometer also increased at that
time. Apparently something fell into the plasma again.
Feb 19 2004 04:59:06:207PM1040219026Ron ParkerShot 26: Repeat. Good shot, though it remained in L-mode even with 1.9 MW of RF.

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
109:01:11:100AMPlasmaOk
209:12:33:433AMPlasmaOk
309:28:24:260AMPlasmaOk
409:44:36:303AMPlasmaOk
510:17:45:127AMPlasmaOk
610:32:25:043AMPlasmaOk
710:46:32:397AMPlasmaOk
810:59:36:173AMPlasmaOk
911:13:43:450AMPlasmaOk
1011:27:30:523AMPlasmaOk
1111:41:16:737AMPlasmaOk
1211:57:40:263AMPlasmaOk
1312:10:17:930PMPlasmaOk
1412:25:55:850PMPlasmaOk
1512:39:00:420PMPlasmaOk
1612:57:39:590PMTestBad
1902:54:34:087PMTestOkdata system test
2003:09:19:540PMPlasmaOk
2103:25:56:990PMPlasmaOk
2203:45:36:437PMPlasmaOk
2304:03:51:030PMPlasmaOk
2404:22:13:493PMPlasmaOk
2504:41:57:337PMPlasmaOk
2604:54:43:433PMPlasmaOk