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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Power balance and divertor asymmetries in the Super-X divertors of MAST-U using SOLPS-ITER

Spherical tokamaks (STs) present unique challenges and opportunities in the area of particle and power exhaust, intensified due to their more compact sizes. Substantial efforts are underway in STs to determine the limits in dissipative operational regimes and advanced divertor solutions, including at MAST-U which provides access to the Super-X divertor configuration. Power balance, and upper/lower divertor asymmetries have been studied using SOLPS-ITER simulations of the MAST-U Super-X divertor. A set of simulations with experimentally inferred transport coefficients with E x B and diamagnetic drifts activated, consisting of density and power scans, and high field side vs low field side gas puff locations, have been used for code experimentation to uncover trends beyond the current experimental parameter space. The upper biased asymmetry (U:L > 1) of the ratio of the peaks of the plasma energy flux densities at the outer targets increases with heating power and decreases with gas puff strength, going from symmetric to up to a factor of 15. The upper target electron temperature has been found to be a good ordering quantity for the magnitude of this asymmetry for all heating powers, gas puff strength, and gas puff locations. The lower divertor biased asymmetry (U:L < 1) of the radiation patterns processed through SOLPS-based bolometry synthetic diagnostics is in qualitative agreement with resistive bolometry experimental results, and it is in quantitative agreement with the trend of the total volume radiation within the divertors of SOLPS. However, radiation measurements alone are not sufficient to infer the magnitude of the asymmetry of the peaks of the power loads at the targets.

MAST-U↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effects of plasma squareness on RMP response in MAST-U

The effect of the squareness of the plasma boundary shape on the plasma response to the applied n = 2 (n is the toroidal mode number) resonant magnetic perturbation, and consequently on controlling the edge-localized mode (ELM) in MAST-U in the double-null configuration, is numerically systematically investigated. The modeling is performed utilizing three different plasma response models: the single-fluid model, the two-fluid model and the magnetohydrodynamic-kinetic hybrid model. The effect of the plasma squareness on ELM control is found to depend on the equilbrium kinetic profiles. Fixing the equilibrium radial profiles to that from a recent MAST-U discharge, the experimental plasma shape is found to be close to optimal for ELM control in terms of squareness. The optimal coil phasing does not significantly vary with varying plasma squareness. These findings robustly hold with (i) two figures of merit (FoMs) defined for predicting the ELM control feasibility, and (ii) three plasma response models employed for evaluating these FoMs.

MAST-U↗
DOE OSTI2021

The SuperCam Instrument Suite on the Mars 2020 Rover: Science Objectives and Mast-Unit Description

On the NASA 2020 rover mission to Jezero crater, the remote determination of the texture, mineralogy and chemistry of rocks is essential to quickly and thoroughly characterize an area and to optimize the selection of samples for return to Earth. As part of the Perseverance payload, SuperCam is a suite of five techniques that provide critical and complementary observations via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman and Luminescence (TRR/L), visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VISIR), high-resolution color imaging (RMI), and acoustic recording (MIC). SuperCam operates at remote distances, primarily 2–7 m, while providing data at sub-mm to mm scales. We report on SuperCam’s science objectives in the context of the Mars 2020 mission goals and ways the different techniques can address these questions. The instrument is made up of three separate subsystems: the Mast Unit is designed and built in France; the Body Unit is provided by the United States; the calibration target holder is contributed by Spain, and the targets themselves by the entire science team. This publication focuses on the design, development, and tests of the Mast Unit; companion papers describe the other units. The goal of this work is to provide an understanding of the technical choices made, the constraints that were imposed, and ultimately the validated performance of the flight model as it leaves Earth, and it will serve as the foundation for Mars operations and future processing of the data.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

The neutron camera upgrade for MAST Upgrade

The Neutron Camera Upgrade (NCU) is a neutron flux monitor consisting of six lines of sight (LoSs) under installation on Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade. The NCU is expected to contribute to the study of the confinement of fast ions and on the efficiency of non-inductive current drive in the presence of on-axis and off-axis neutral beam injection by measuring the neutron emissivity profile along the equatorial plane. This paper discusses the NCU main design criteria, the engineering and interfacing issues, and the solutions adopted. In addition, the results from the characterization and performance studies of the neutron detectors using standard γ-rays sources and a 252 Cf source are discussed. The proposed design has a time resolution of 1 ms with a statistical uncertainty of less than 10% for all MAST Upgrade scenarios with a spatial resolution of 10 cm: higher spatial resolution is possible by moving the LoSs in-between plasma discharges. Finally, the energy resolution of the neutron detector is better than 10% for a light output of 0.8 MeVee, and the measured pulse shape discrimination is satisfactory.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Validating the simulation of beam-ion charge exchange in MAST Upgrade

Abstract Simulation of the impact of charge-exchange (CX) reactions on beam ions in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade was compared to measurements carried out with a fission chamber (neutron fluxes) and a fast ion deuterium-alpha (FIDA) diagnostic. A simple model was developed to reconstruct the outer-midplane neutral density based on measurements of deuterium-alpha emission from edge neutrals, and on Thomson scattering measurements of electron density and temperature. The main computational tools used were the ASCOT orbit-following code and the FIDASIM code for producing synthetic FIDA signals. The neutral density reconstruction agrees qualitatively with SOLPS-ITER modelling and yields a synthetic passive FIDA signal that is consistent with measurement. When CX losses of beam ions are accounted for, predicted neutron emission rates are quantitatively more consistent with measurement. It was necessary to account for CX losses of beam ions in simulations to reproduce the measured passive FIDA signal quantitatively and qualitatively. The results suggest that the neutral density reconstruction is a good approximation, that CX with edge neutrals causes significant beam-ion losses in MAST Upgrade, typically 20% of beam power, and that the ASCOT fast-ion CX model can be used to accurately predict the redistribution and loss of beam ions due to CX.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2017

Perturbative momentum transport in MAST L-mode plasmas

Non-axisymmetric magnetic fields are used to perturbatively probe momentum transport physics in MAST L-mode plasmas. The low beta L-mode target was chosen to complement previous experiments conducted in high beta NSTX H-mode plasmas (beta N = 3.5-4.6) where an inward momentum pinch was measured. In those cases quasi-linear gyrokinetic simulations of unstable ballooning micro-instabilities predict weak or outward momentum convection, in contrast to the measurements. The weak pinch was predicted to be due to both electromagnetic effects at high beta and low aspect ratio minimizing the symmetry-breaking of the instabilities responsible for momentum transport. In an attempt to lessen these electromagnetic effects at low aspect ratio, perturbative experiments were run in MAST L-mode discharges at lower beta (beta N = 2). The perturbative transport analysis used the time-dependent response following the termination of applied 3D fields that briefly brake the plasma rotation ( similar to the NSTX H-mode experiments). Assuming time-invariant diffusive (chi(phi))and convective (V-phi) transport coefficients, an inward pinch is inferred with magnitudes, (RV phi/chi(phi)) = (-1)-(-9), similar to those found in NSTX H-modes and in conventional tokamaks. However, if experimental uncertainties due to non-stationary conditions during and after the applied 3D field are considered, a weak pinch or even outward convection is inferred, ( RV phi/chi(phi)) = (-1)-(+5). Linear gyrokinetic simulations indicate that for these lower beta L-modes, the predicted momentum pinch is predicted to be relatively small, ( RV phi/chi(phi))(sim) approximate to -1. While this falls within the experimentally inferred range, the uncertainties are practically too large to quantitatively validate the predictions. Challenges and implications for this particular experimental technique are discussed, as well as additional possible physical mechanisms that may be important in understanding momentum transport in these low aspect ratio plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling of deuterium and carbon radiation transport in MAST-U tokamak advanced divertors

Modest effects of deuterium and carbon radiation opacity in the Super-X and snowflake divertor plasmas are predicted for MAST Upgrade tokamak with core plasma input power 2.5–5 MW and plasma current 1 MA. The radiation transport modeling is based on the SOLPS-EIRENE and UEDGE code divertor plasma predictions. Two radiation transport models are used: one is based on a full radiation transport equation implemented in the radiation transport and collisional-radiative code CRETIN (without feedback on the background plasma), and another is an internal self-consistent UEDGE model with ionization, recombination, and heating rates corrected for Ly α line trapping based on the escape probability model implemented in CRETIN. In MAST-U, the Super-X and snowflake divertor plasmas are predicted to reach detached regimes at lower upstream densities than the standard divertor, and the conclusion still holds with radiation transport effects included. At neutral densities m -3 , modest Ly α deuterium line trapping with optical depths 10–15 is predicted in the Super-X divertor. Divertor plasmas are optically thin to other Lyman and Balmer lines, as well as to strong C III and C IV lines that are responsible for most of divertor radiated power. Insignificant changes (within a few percent) to divertor deuterium ionization and recombination rates are found. Radiation fluxes on outer divertor target are modified within a factor of 2–3 when the radiation transport is accounted for, and a similar variation is found due to the line shape models that define the absorption and emission line profiles in the radiation transport modeling. The predicted Lyman and Balmer spectral intensities are significantly modified due to radiation trapping. A measurement of divertor radiation transport effects is discussed using the Ly β /Ba α line ratio. In the snowflake divertor configuration, divertor plasmas are found to be optically thin to Lyman series lines within a large range of parameter variations that include upstream density, divertor transport coefficients, and magnetic configurations. Finally, modest radiation transport effects are only found in a few cases with strongest divertor transport and magnetic configurations closest to the ideal snowflake configuration, however, the plasma background models that were used are yet to be validated with an experiment.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Increased radiation due to non-coronal effects on DIII-D and MAST-U with varying input power

Through SOLPS-ITER simulations of DIII-D and MAST-U, an X-divertor (XD) on DIII-D and a super X-divertor (SXD) on MAST-U were shown to have increased carbon emissivity (P Rad /n e n I ) over corresponding standard divertors (SD) at similar degrees of partial detachment. The reasons behind the increased emissivity in the DIII-D XD and SXD are analyzed using a simple 0D transport model. From the transport model, it is seen that a major cause of the increased emissivity in the XD and SXD over the SDs is a shorter impurity confinement time. An additional cause (for the SXD) is an increase in the ratio of neutral hydrogen to electron density. The input power (P in ) was varied and the XD had a higher emissivity at the higher P in , unlike the SDs which had the emissivity decrease with increasing P in . A basic geometrical reason is given to explain both the benefits of the XD over the SD as well as the increase in the XD's emissivity with P in .

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Overview of fast particle experiments in the first MAST Upgrade experimental campaigns

Abstract MAST-U is equipped with on-axis and off-axis neutral beam injectors (NBI), and these external sources of super-Alfvénic deuterium fast-ions provide opportunities for studying a wide range of phenomena relevant to the physics of alpha-particles in burning plasmas. The MeV range D-D fusion product ions are also produced but are not confined. Simulations with the ASCOT code show that up to 20% of fast ions produced by NBI can be lost due to charge exchange (CX) with edge neutrals. Dedicated experiments employing low field side (LFS) gas fuelling show a significant drop in the measured neutron fluxes resulting from beam-plasma reactions, providing additional evidence of CX-induced fast-ion losses, similar to the ASCOT findings. Clear evidence of fast-ion redistribution and loss due to sawteeth (ST), fishbones (FB), long-lived modes (LLM), Toroidal Alfvén Eigenmodes (TAE), Edge Localised Modes (ELM) and neoclassical tearing modes (NTM) has been found in measurements with a Neutron Camera (NCU), a scintillator-based Fast-Ion Loss Detector (FILD), a Solid-State Neutral Particle Analyser (SSNPA) and a Fast-Ion Deuterium- α (FIDA) spectrometer. Unprecedented FILD measurements in the range of 1–2 MHz indicate that fast-ion losses can be also induced by the beam ion cyclotron resonance interaction with compressional or global Alfvén eigenmodes (CAEs or GAEs). These results show the wide variety of scenarios and the unique conditions in which fast ions can be studied in MAST-U, under conditions that are relevant for future devices like STEP or ITER.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

First data and preliminary experimental results from a new Doppler backscattering system on the MAST-U spherical tokamak

Abstract A new Doppler backscattering (DBS) system, consisting of Q-band and V-band, has been installed and achieved its first data on the MAST-U spherical tokamak. The Q-band and V-band have separate microwave source systems, but share the same optical front-end components. The Q-band and V-band sources simultaneously generate eight (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 GHz) and seven (52.5, 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 65 and 67.5 GHz) fixed frequency probe beams, respectively. These frequencies provide a large range of radial positions from the low-field-side edge plasma to the core, and possibly to the high-field-side edge, depending on the plasma conditions. The quasi-optical system consists of a remotely-tunable polarizer, a focusing lens and a remotely-steerable mirror. By steering the mirror, the system provides remote control of the probed density fluctuation wavenumber, and allow the launch angle to match the magnetic field. The range of accessible turbulence wavenumbers (k θ ) is reasonably large with normalized wavenumberk θ ρ s ranging from <0.5 to 9. The first data acquired by this DBS system is validated by comparing with the data from the other DBS system on MAST-U (introduced in ref. [21]). An example of measuring the velocity profile spanning from the edge to the center in a high-density plasma is presented, indicating the robust capabilities of the integrated Q-band and V-band DBS systems.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗
NASA NTRS1966

Extendable mast used in one shot soil penetrometer

Penetrometer to test soil characteristics has a piercing head with soil instrumentation equipment attached to an expandable mast actuated by compressed air. The penetrometer gives continuous measurements as the mast pushes the piercing head through the soil.

Hotz, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analyzing Vibrations in a Long Mast

Report describes mathematical prediction and measurement of vibrations in light weight extensible mast of lattice structure. With mast suspended from 10 vertical wires, vibrations excited in horizontal plane by motor-driven mechanism or by hand. Vibrations recorded photographically and with accelerometers.

Simpson, B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A high strength, torsionally rigid, deployable and retractable mast for space applications

A structural mast was developed which during and after full deployment produces a supporting structure with the characteristics of a high bending moment capability, high stiffness and, particularly important for instrument deployment, a high degree of position repeatability and torsional rigidity. These features were accomplished while providing and easily retractable mast with a high life cycle capability. Since these properties are consistent throughout the full range of deployed lengths, partial deployments or retractions can be utilized for checkout, balance, fine tuning or whatever other reason may be deemed necessary for operation modes or spacecraft stability.

Dibiasi, L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

MAST space research flight experiment

The MAST flight experiments comprise a research program focusing on major LSS issues for which it is deemed necessary to test, measure, and validate techniques and concepts in the space environment. The MAST Shuttle attached test articles are transported to space by the STEP experiment carrier and are compatible with STEP interfaces in all configurations. As the experiments require no particular orbit and the operational timeliness needed for mission performance are not extensive, it is forseen that the STEP/MAST combination could provide an attractive repetitive element within the Shuttle mixed cargo manifesting process. Using the STEP experiment carrier and a retractable reusable test article allows repetitive flight research to the extent that the STEP is able to be manifested on a regular basis. Since this research program examines generic phenomena, maximum emphasis is placed upon information quality and the fidelity with which the phenomena model emulates the LSS issue.

Allen, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Description of the Mast Flight System

The Mast Flight System is composed of several subsystems. Primary among these is the Deployable Mast Subsystem (DMS) which consists of a beam assembly and an associated mechanism for deploying and retracting the beam. The beam assembly is a joint dominated graphite epoxy and titanium truss as is expected of future large space structures. Integral to the beam assembly are actuators, sensors and associated electronics which are available for excitation and damping as desired by the experimenter. The beam structural characteristics can also be modified as desired by the experimenter using the Parameter Modification Device installed at the end of the beam. Data measured on the beam by the sensors and commands to the actuators are transmitted along the beam digitally at 150 Hz using a standard 1553 type bus. The Modular Distributed Information Sybsystem (MDIS) computer functions as bus master and ensures that all experimental data is saved for future analysis. The MDIS computer also performs a safing function to prevent inadvertent overexcitation of the beam. Finally, the Excitation and Damping Subsystem (EDS) computer is available to the experimenter for implementation of control algorithms or any other numerical operations as desired. Data from all system sensors can be accessed by the EDS computer.

Talcott, Ronald C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Extendable retractable telescopic mast for deployable structures

The Extendable and Retractable Mast (ERM) which is presently developed by Dornier in the frame of an ESA-contract, will be used to deploy and retract large foldable structures. The design is based on a telescopic carbon-fiber structure with high stiffness, strength and pointing accuracy. To verify the chosen design, a breadboard model of an ERM was built and tested under thermal vacuum (TV)-conditions. It is planned as a follow-on development to manufacture and test an Engineering Model Mast. The Engineering Model will be used to establish the basis for an ERM-family covering a wide range of requirements.

Schmid, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Status of the Mast experiment

Many sophisticated mathematical control techniques for flexible structures have been devised. The basic problem is that most of them require a relatively accurate mathematical model of the system under control including the dynamics of both the structure and the control system components. Obtaining such a model for either subsystem traditionally has required great effort including a significant validation step based on test data. Because of the quantum increase in complexity over proven methods, promising techniques for the control of flexible structures must be validated in actual hardware experiments before committing to their use in actual spacecraft missions. The Mast experiment system serves as a focus for such validation. It is the first in a series of experiments under the Control of Flexible Structures (COFS) Program at the NASA Langley Research Center. The Mast experiment is a combination of ground tests, orbital flight test, and analysis of a deployable beam under the COFS program. It provides a vehicle for research in structures, structural dynamics, and control issues.

Hanks, Brantley R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mast material test program (MAMATEP)

The MAMATEP program, which is aimed at verifying the need for and evaluating the performance of various protection techniques for the solar array assembly mast of the Space Station photovoltaic power module, is discussed. Coated and uncoated mast material samples have been environmentally tested and evaluated, before and after testing, in terms of mass and bending modulus. The protective coatings include CV-1144 silicone, a Ni/Al/InSn eutectic, and an open-weave Al braid. Long-term plasma asher results from unprotected samples indicate that, even though fiberglass-epoxy samples degrade, a protection technique may not be necessary to ensure structural integrity. A protection technique, however, may be desirable to limit or contain the amount of debris generated by the degradation of the fiberglass-epoxy.

Ciancone, Michael L.↗