Alcator C-Mod Run 1040311 Information

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Miniproposals
Miniproposal:300
Date Filed: 6/14/2002
Title:TF Ramps
First Author: Lee
Session Leader:Martin Greenwald (shots 1-19)

Operators
Session leader(s):Martin Greenwald
Physics operator(s):Ron Parker
Engineering operator(s):Gary Dekow,Ed Fitzgerald,Bill Parkin

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP#300 TF Ramps; SL:Greenwald; PO:Parker; EO:Dekow/Fitz/Parkin

Session Leader Plans

Physics Operators Plans

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 03:49:03:490PM
Author: Martin Greenwald
Run Summary for 1040311
MP 300 - BT scans and ITB hysteresis
Session Leader - Greenwald
Phys Op - Parker

Background and approach:

We've observed a sharp threshold in BT for formation of ITBs produced by
off-axis RF heating. The threshold is interpreted as an effect of
deposition radius, with barriers formed when the ICRF resonance location
is greater than about |r/a| = 0.45. The threshold is seen for deposition
on both the low and high field side and is quite sharp - amounting to about
0.1 T or less than 5-10% in r/a.

The point of today's experiment is to probe this threshold boundary
dynamically to look for hysteresis which could help categorize the
transition and shed light on the underlying physics.


Plan:

1. Start at with a shot like 1040309029 - 4.5 T - demonstrate ITB
2. Begin a Bt ramp - upward starting somewhat after the ITB transition
and ramping at a rate that would get us to about 4.8 T before the end of flat-top
If the ITB is not lost, increase Bt ramp rate
3. Start with Bt above the threshold ~ 4.8T - demonstrate lack of ITB
4. Ramp Bt down at the rate established in 2.


Results:

Ragged. Some data was obtained, but the data server problems got so severe
that the run had to be cancelled.

As in the previous 2 days, ITBs were produced routinely. Ramping Bt did not
extend range of ITBs. Clearest example is 012 which started developing as an ITB then
quietly returned to an ordinary H-mode when the ramped field exceeded 4.7 T. There was no
build-up of radiation, no back transition and no RF faults. So the tentative conclusion
based on this sparse data set is that there is not significant hysteresis.

Shot Bt ramp result

03 4.55-4.55 itb steady
04 4.55-4.55 itb steady
05 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.62 (radiation?)
06 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.66 (radiation?)
07 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.65 (radiation?)
09 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.65 (radiation?)
12 4.6 -5.0 brief itb, degrades after 4.7
13 4.6 -4.9 no itb
14 4.6 -4.8 itb til back transition at 4.77 T (radiation?)
15 4.6 -4.9 no itb
16 4.6 -4.9 v. weak itb with no back transition no improvement w/ Bt > 4.7

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 04:36:49:490PM
Author: Ron Parker
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Physop Summary 1040311

The purpose of the run was to explore the possibility of hysteresis
in ITB formation by slow ramping of the TF, once an ITB is formed.

The run started promptly and the first several shots went off
without a hitch.But after the 3rd shot, a data system problem
developed. The fix only delayed the shot sequence by ~ 5 minutes,
but the event was a harbinger of things to come. A PLC hangup also
developed after shot 3 and this took 45 minutes to find a workaround.
The PLC malfunction was not a problem thereafter.Shots 4-7 ran
well and the program of ramped fields was underway. However, a data
system problem developed after shot 7, resulting in a 20 minute
delay. Shot 8 was a peculiar fizzle, with the plasma current
twice reaching 100 kA before dying. Shot 9 ran well, and this was
followed by a hold for Jim Decker's visit in the cell. But
the hold was extended for Tom to "fix" the data system problem.
The hold was over an hour. Shot 10 had data system problems, but
Tom managed to recover the data although it was a no power shot.
Shot 11 was a no power shot. Shot 12 was completely normal,no
data system problems. Shots 13 - 16 ran well, and data were
collected.Then the data system problems, which had been intermittent,
became permanent. Three no power shots were run,and all had data
system problems. Tom's view was that it was unlikely to that the
problem would be fixed before the end of the run , so the run was
scrubbed at this point (~16:00).

Scorecard: 13 good shots (machine ran well)
1 peculiar fizzle (over 100 kA a fizzle?), 5 no power shots
due to data system problems.

Engineering Setup and Run Plan 1040311

ECDC overnight in D2, stopping at 07:00

Run begins at 09:00 and ends at 17:00

Purpose: MP#300 TF Ramps

Session leader: Greenwald

Physop: Parker

Engineering Setup:

Power Supplies as on 1040309029

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 with 15 psi He3 Hybrid DISABLED (PG2)
fill C-side with 30 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)
fill NINJA (lower cap) with 8 psi D2

Diagnostic gate valve permissives for ECE, VUV, DNB assuming no vacuum
problems

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

Run Plan

The purpose of this run is to investigate ITB formation threshhold,
hysteresis behavior and operational parameter space. In particular,
ITB's will be formed and the field ramped (up and down) to determine
if the ITB will be maintained once formed.

We'll start with shot 1040309029 at 4.5 T as a fudicial ITB shot.

Then we'll begin a TF ramp, ramping up after the ITB forms and reaching
about 4.8 T at the end of the flat-top. If the ITB persists, we'll
increase the ramp rate.

Then we'll begin with the field above the threshhold, e.g., 4.8 T
and demonstrate no ITB formation. We'll then ramp the field down
from 4.8 T at the rate established above.

If time, we'll repeat with the resonance on the low field side,
starting with shot 1040310012, BT ~ 6.4 T and again investigate the
effect of a field ramp.








Session Leader Comments
Mar 11 2004 08:48:09:393AMMartin GreenwaldMP 300 - BT scans and ITB hysteresis
Session Leader - Greenwald
Phys Op - Parker

Background and approach:

We've observed a sharp threshold in BT for formation of ITBs produced
by off-axis RF heating. The threshold is interpreted as an effect of
deposition radius, with barriers formed when the ICRF resonance location
is greater than about |r/a| = 0.45. The threshold is seen for deposition
on both the low and high field side and is quite sharp - amounting to about
0.1 T or less than 5-10% in r/a.

The point of today's experiment is to probe this threshold boundary
dynamically to look for hysteresis which could help categorize the
transition and shed light on the underlying physics.


Plan:


1. Start at with a shot like 1040309029 - 4.5 T - demonstrate ITB
2. Begin a Bt ramp - upward starting somewhat after the ITB transition
and ramping at a rate that would get us to about 4.8 T before the end of flat-top
If the ITB is not lost, increase Bt ramp rate
3. Start with Bt above the threshold ~ 4.8T - demonstrate lack of ITB
4. Ramp Bt down at the rate established in 2.

If time allows, repeat with the resonance on the low-field side - starting with say shot 1040310012
Bt ~ 6.4 T (ramps performed in opposite direction)
Mar 11 2004 04:33:22:327PMMartin Greenwald
Results:

Ragged. Some data was obtained, but the data server problems got so severe
that the run had to be cancelled.

As in the previous 2 days, ITBs were produced routinely. Ramping Bt did not
extend range of ITBs. Clearest example is 012 which started developing as an ITB then
quietly returned to an ordinary H-mode when the ramped field exceeded 4.7 T. There was no
build-up of radiation, no back transition and no RF faults. So the tentative conclusion
based on this sparse data set is that there is not significant hysteresis.

Shot Bt ramp result

03 4.55-4.55 itb steady
04 4.55-4.55 itb steady
05 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.62 (radiation?)
06 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.66 (radiation?)
07 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.65 (radiation?)
09 4.55-4.8 itb til back transition at 4.65 (radiation?)
12 4.6 -5.0 brief itb, degrades after 4.7
13 4.6 -4.9 no itb
14 4.6 -4.8 itb til back transition at 4.77 T (radiation?)
15 4.6 -4.9 no itb
16 4.6 -4.9 v. weak itb with no back transition no improvement w/ Bt > 4.7
Mar 11 2004 09:10:58:440AM1040311001Martin GreenwaldMultiple H-modes, perhaps weak ITB on last one.
No power from D
Mar 11 2004 09:22:40:747AM1040311002Martin GreenwaldMultiple H-modes
RF power higher but still some trips
ITB late
Mar 11 2004 09:53:24:820AM1040311003Martin Greenwaldbetter - ITB seems to collapse at about 1.2 seconds on its own
(data system hang - lost a few signals?)
Mar 11 2004 10:46:31:143AM1040311004Martin GreenwaldSimilar to previous shot
Barrier formed at about 0.9 seconds
will begin Bt ramp on next shot starting at that time
Mar 11 2004 10:58:03:730AM1040311005Martin GreenwaldBt ramp starting at 0.9 sec
4.5T to 4.8 at 1.5 sec
ITB was somewhat briefer
Mar 11 2004 11:35:49:080AM1040311006Martin Greenwaldsimilar to last shot
(+ another data system glitch)
Mar 11 2004 11:35:17:890AM1040311007Martin Greenwaldanother problem with data system
Mar 11 2004 12:04:11:947PM1040311008Martin Greenwaldfizzle
Mar 11 2004 12:04:49:260PM1040311008Martin Greenwaldfizzle - to 120 kA
Mar 11 2004 02:06:09:130PM1040311012Martin GreenwaldGood shot
ITB starts to develop, but is lost at .9 sec when Bt reaches 4.7 T
Mar 11 2004 02:20:51:933PM1040311013Martin Greenwaldreduced Bt ramp by 2% but No ITB
Mar 11 2004 02:49:06:013PM1040311015Martin GreenwaldNo ITB
Mar 11 2004 03:13:46:170PM1040311016Martin Greenwaldvery weak itb - no back transition

Physics Operator Comments
Mar 11 2004 09:18:13:010AM1040311001Ron ParkerThe first shot was programmed the same as shot 1040309029, and it ran as such.

However, the plasma tripped out of H-mode twice, so we'll repeat until a sustained H-Mode
is obtained.
Mar 11 2004 09:22:40:760AM1040311002Ron ParkerShot again had multiple H-modes. Continue the shot on shot 3.
Mar 11 2004 10:37:56:367AM1040311003Ron ParkerShot 3 again had the H-mode drop out.

Data system problem being attended to.

Data system fixed, 5 min delay, but PLC problem developed.

The problem was fixed with a workaround. 45 minute delay.
Mar 11 2004 10:47:15:850AM1040311004Ron ParkerAfter the delay of 45 minutes, shot was run, similar to shots 1-3.

For next shot, TF will be ramped from 4.5 to 4.8 T over the time interval 0.9 s to 1.5 s
Mar 11 2004 04:25:55:520PM1040311005Ron ParkerShot 5 ran well with appearance of an ITB.
Mar 11 2004 11:19:39:947AM1040311006Ron ParkerShot 6 ran OK, similar to other shots.

Computer problems.
Mar 11 2004 12:01:43:483PM1040311007Ron ParkerShot 7 ran after short delay to fix data system problem.

Looks like the data system is hung up again.

After 20 minute delay, ready for shot 8.
Mar 11 2004 12:08:32:990PM1040311008Ron ParkerShot 8 sort of fizzled, but after reaching over 100 kA.
Mar 11 2004 12:25:03:813PM1040311009Ron ParkerShot 9 ran OK. Pause for VIP tour in cell.
Mar 11 2004 12:33:56:377PM1040311009Ron ParkerThere will be a hold for Tom to deal with computer issues.

The hold might be 30-40 minutes or hours.
Mar 11 2004 01:50:19:950PM1040311010Steve WolfeShot#10: No power cycle after Tom did a disk transplant on AlcDaq.

Shot ran through, but data doesn't come up.
Tom did some more magic and data came up after a while.
Mar 11 2004 01:58:25:433PM1040311011Steve WolfeShot#11: Another no power cycle after Tom did a disk transplant on AlcDaq.
Data coming through.
Mar 11 2004 02:01:44:397PM1040311012Steve WolfeShot#12: increase tf ramp by .1T at start and .2T at end of ramp.
first point from -122000 to -124800; second point from -131000 to -136600

plasma full length. Parker is back and will take over as Physop again.
Mar 11 2004 02:13:21:220PM1040311012Ron ParkerParker back as PO. Shot 12 will be repeated, except field at end of ramp
will be decreased by 0.1 T.
Mar 11 2004 02:22:24:297PM1040311013Ron ParkerShot ran well, no ITB. Ramp will be again reduced on next shot by 0.1 T at end of ramp.
Mar 11 2004 02:38:49:790PM1040311014Ron ParkerShot 14 ran well, no ITB. Next: reload shot 13, i.e., restore 0.1 T to ramp.
Mar 11 2004 02:53:21:883PM1040311015Ron ParkerShot 15 OK, for next shot the ramp will be delayed by 150 ms.
Mar 11 2004 03:26:56:593PM1040311016Ron ParkerShot ran well, next shot repeats.

Oops, a no power shot because data system hung during countdown.

Next shot: another no power shot
Mar 11 2004 03:50:20:777PM1040311017Ron ParkerShot 17 was a no power shot
Mar 11 2004 03:51:05:870PM1040311018Ron ParkerShot 18 was a no power shot.
Mar 11 2004 03:51:26:590PM1040311019Ron ParkerShot 19 was a no power shot.

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
109:04:14:527AMPlasmaOk
209:17:40:383AMPlasmaOk
309:32:40:327AMTestBad
410:36:20:673AMPlasmaOk
510:50:56:910AMPlasmaOk
611:06:47:963AMTestBad
711:28:51:370AMPlasmaOk
812:01:21:403PMPlasmaOk
912:14:03:137PMPlasmaOk
1001:26:34:183PMTestOk
1101:49:33:513PMTestOk
1201:59:19:357PMPlasmaOk
1302:14:57:660PMPlasmaOk
1402:30:41:857PMPlasmaOk
1502:45:06:250PMPlasmaOk
1603:00:46:093PMPlasmaOk
1903:47:53:163PMTestBad