Engineering PapersSearch

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Tokamak plasma”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Forbidden line emission from highly ionized atoms in tokamak plasmas

Considerable interest in the observation of forbidden spectral lines from highly ionized atoms in tokamak plasmas is related to the significance of such observations for plasma diagnostic applications. Atomic data for the elements Ti Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Kr have been published by Feldman et al. (1980) and Bhatia et al. (1980). The present investigation is concerned with collisional excitation rate coefficients and radiative decay rates, which are interpolated for ions of elements between calcium, and krypton and for levels of the 2s2 2pk, 2s 2p(k+1), and 2p(k+2) configurations, and for the O I, N I, C I, B I, and Be I isoelectronic sequences. The provided interpolated atomic data can be employed to calculate level populations and relative line intensities for ions of the considered sequences, taking into account levels of the stated configurations. Important plasma diagnostic information provided by the forbidden lines includes the ion temperature

Feldman, U.

Spectroscopy and atomic physics of highly ionized Cr, Fe, and Ni for tokamak plasmas

The paper considers the spectroscopy and atomic physics for some highly ionized Cr, Fe, and Ni ions produced in tokamak plasmas. Forbidden and intersystem wavelengths for Cr and Ni ions are extrapolated and interpolated using the known wavelengths for Fe lines identified in solar-flare plasmas. Tables of transition probabilities for the B I, C I, N I, O I, and F I isoelectronic sequences are presented, and collision strengths and transition probabilities for Cr, Fe, and Ni ions of the Be I sequence are given. Similarities of tokamak and solar spectra are discussed, and it is shown how the atomic data presented may be used to determine ion abundances and electron densities in low-density plasmas.

Feldman, U.

Atomic data and level populations of highly ionized Ti for tokamak plasmas

The paper presents calculations of electron impact collision strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates for titanium ions of the LiI through FI isoelectronic sequences for transitions between levels of the 2S(2)2p(k), 2s2p(k+1), and 2p(k+2) configurations. From these atomic data, excitation-rate coefficients are calculated along with level populations for these three configurations. The calculations of level populations include the effects of proton excitation, and are carried out at electron temperatures and densities typical of tokamak plasmas. Wavelengths of forbidden and intersystem lines are given, and a synthetic spectrum is presented for a typical temperature and density.

Bhatia, A. K.

Time-resolved measurements of nonthermal X-ray emission of Ti XXI lines in electron-cyclotron-heated tokamak plasmas

The observation of heliumlike titanium spectra with 20 ms temporal resolution during high-power injection of electron cyclotron heating (ECH) of up to 250 ms pulse length into the Doublet III tokamak is reported. The prominent lines in the spectra and the observed dielectronic satellite lines from the autoionizing lithiumlike ionization states are given. The intensity of the resonance line 1s2 1S0 - 1s 2p 1P1 is found to be extremely sensitive to the ECH power. Time-resolved line ratios are also presented. It is concluded that a significant departure from a Maxwellian distribution of electrons exists in the present ECH plasmas.

Lee, P.

Oxygen impurity radiation from Tokamak-like plasmas

We have constructed a nonhydrodynamic coronal model for calculating radiation from impurity atoms in a heated plasma. Some recent developments in the calculation of dielectronic recombination rate coefficients and collisional excitation rate coefficients are included. The model is applied to oxygen impurity radiation during the first few milliseconds of a TFR Tokamak plasma discharge, and good agreement with experimental results is obtained. Estimates of total line and continuum radiation from the oxygen impurity are given. It is shown that impurity radiation represents a considerable energy loss.

Rogerson, J. E.

The effects of a multidensity plasma on ultraviolet spectroscopic electron density diagnostics

Spectroscopic electron density diagnostics have been developed for interpretation of UV, EUV, and X-ray emission line spectra of solar and other astrophysical plasmas, and tokamak plasmas. In principle, accurate electron densities can be determined. However, in practice, a number of difficulties arise with respect to the determination of very accurate electron densities in the 1100-3000 A region. The present study has the objective to investigate one of these difficulties, taking into account the effect on line ratios produced by a source composed of several regions of substantially different densities, all at the same temperature. The study is in particular concerned with a source in which small high density knots are embedded in low-density plasma. Attention is given to line ratios involving the O IV multiplet near 1400 A, obtained from the spectrum of a surge observed outside the solar limb.

Doschek, G. A.

Development of a Method for Local Electron Temperature and Density Measurements in the Divertor of the JET Tokamak

Plasma volume recombination in the divertor, a process in which charged particles recombine to neutral atoms, contributes to plasma detachment and hence cooling at the divertor target region. Detachment has been observed at JET and other tokamaks and is known to occur at low electron temperatures (T(sub e)<1 eV) and at high electron density (n(sub e)>10(exp 20)/m(exp 3)). The ability to measure such low temperatures is therefore of interest for modelling the divertor. In present work we report development of a new spectroscopic technique for investigation of local electron density (n(sub e)) and temperature (T,) in the outer divertor at JET.

Jupen, C.

Infrared heterodyne receivers with IF responses approaching 5 GHz

Specialized coherent 10.6 micrometer infrared receivers were developed with infrared frequency responses approaching 5 GHz. Carbon dioxide lasers were employed for these applications because of their availability, stability, and high average power levels. Heterodyne receivers which employ extrinsic photoconductive Ge:Cu(Sb) mixers were developed for measurements of carbon dioxide laser scattering to determine: (1) the drive lower hybrid wave density fluctuations; and (2) the plasma ion temperature of the dense Tokamak plasmas.

Wolczok, J. M.

Can a Penning ionization discharge simulate the tokamak scrape-off plasma conditions?

The tokamak scrape-off (the region between the vacuum vessel wall and the magnetically confined fusion plasma edge), represents a source/sink for the hot fusion plasma. The electron densities and temperatures are in the ranges 10 to the 11th - 10 to the 13th/cu cm and 1-40 eV, respectively (depending on the size, magnetic field intensity and configuration, plasma current, etc). In the work reported, the electron temperature and density have been estimated in a Penning ionization discharge by comparing its spectroscopic emission in the VUV with that predicted by a collisional radiative model. An attempt to directly compare this emission with that of the tokamak edge is briefly described.

Finkenthal, M.

The magnetic pumping of plasmas with sawtooth waveforms

The pumping of plasmas by sawtooth-waveform magnetic induction variations is studied theoretically and by means of computer simulations. A sawtooth is a cycle waveform that is characterized by a slow increase in the magnetic induction followed by a rapid drop in the induction. Two types of sawtooth pumping are analyzed, and the types classified as to whether or not the first adiabatic invariants of the plasma particles are conserved during the rapid drops in the magnetic induction. When the invariants are conserved, the sawtooth waveforms are found to be less efficient than square waves for pumping plasmas. When the adiabatic invariations are not conserved, the pumping efficiency is found to be a slight improvement over square waves. Both types of pumping are applied to a hypothetical tokamak plasma and it is concluded that neither type of sawtooth pumping is practical for heating magnetically confined fusion plasmas.

Borovsky, Joseph E.

Tokamak Spectroscopy for X-Ray Astronomy

This paper presents the measured x-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet (XUV) spectra of three astrophysically abundant elements (Fe, Ca and Ne) from three different tokamak plasmas. In every case, each spectrum touches on an issue of atomic physics that is important for simulation codes to be used in the analysis of high spectral resolution data from current and future x-ray telescopes. The utility of the tokamak as a laboratory test bed for astrophysical data is demonstrated. Simple models generated with the HULLAC suite of codes demonstrate how the atomic physics issues studied can affect the interpretation of astrophysical data.

Fournier, Kevin B.

Fe XXI as an electron density diagnostic in solar flares

Atomic data have been calculated for Fe XXI, and the theoretical intensity ratios for many transitions are tabulated. Fe XXI lines in wavelength regions 1-25 A, 90-200 A, and 300-2500 A are discussed with reference to presently available solar and laboratory spectra. It is found that Fe XXI is an excellent density diagnostic for solar-flare and tokamak plasmas, when densities are in the range from 10 to the 11th to 10 to the 15th per cu cm. The theoretical calculations are applied to flare spectra obtained from OSO 5, and an electron density of less than 10 to the 13th per cu cm is deduced for a temperature of 10,000,000 K. The results are somewhat ambiguous in several cases because of the limited spectral and temporal resolution of these earlier spectrometers. However, the calculations will be important for forthcoming solar projects, such as the Solar Maximum Mission.

Mason, H. E.

Induced emission of extraordinary mode radiation in tokamaks

The implications of the formation of a positive slope in the runaway electron tail in tokamak plasmas are investigated in regard to the radiation in the vicinity of the electron plasma frequency. In particular, it is shown that the amplification of extraordinary mode waves may result.

Freund, H. P.

New atomic data for Fe/+19/

New atomic data are tabulated for Fe(+19). The electron collision strengths are calculated using the 'distorted wave' approximation and results are presented for several energies of the exciting electron. The populations of the ground levels are calculated as a function of electron density under conditions appropriate to solar flares and tokamak plasmas. Theoretical intensity ratios are tabulated for the UV lines.

Bhatia, A. K.

High resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. V - Interpretation of inner-shell transitions in Fe XX-Fe XXIII

The paper examines high-resolution solar flare iron line spectra recorded between 1.82 and 1.97 A by a spectrometer flown by the Naval Research Laboratory on an Air Force spacecraft launched on 1979 February 24. The emission line spectrum is due to inner-shell transitions in the ions Fe XX-Fe XXV. Using theoretical spectra and calculations of line intensities obtained by methods discussed by Merts, Cowan, and Magee (1976), electron temperatures as a function of time for two large class X flares are derived. These temperatures are deduced from intensities of lines of Fe XXII, Fe XXIII, and Fe XXIV. The determination of the differential emission measure between about 12-million and 20-million K using these temperatures is considered. The possibility of determining electron densities in flare and tokamak plasmas using the inner-shell spectra of Fe XXI and Fe XX is discussed.

Doschek, G. A.

Nonlinear evolution of resistive tearing mode instability with shear flow and viscosity

The effect of shear flow on the nonlinear evolution of the tearing mode is investigated via numerical solutions of the resistive MHD equations in slab geometry, using a finite-difference alternative-direction implicit method. It was found that, when the shear flow is small (V less than 0.3), the tearing mode saturates within one resistive time, whereas for larger flows the nonlinear saturation develops on longer time scales. The magnetic energy release decreases and the saturation time increases with increasing values of V for both small and large resistivity. Shear flow was found to decrease the saturated magnetic island width and to generate currents far from the tearing layer. Results suggest that equilibrium shear flow may improve the confinement of tokamak plasma.

Ofman, L.