Runaway electron generation decrease during a major disruption by limiter biasing in tokamaks

The high-energy current of runaway electrons during a major disruption in tokamak reactors can cause serious damage to the first wall of the reactors and reduce their life time. Therefore, finding a method to minimize runaway electron generation during a major disruption is much needed. Tokamak limiter biasing is one of the methods that can be used for controlling the radial electric field and can induce a transition to an improved confinement state. This paper attempts to examine the effect of limiter biasing on the generation of runaway electrons during a major disruption. To do so, a horizontal biased limiter placed on the tokamak was used. Main parameters such as plasma current, loop voltage, emitted hard X-ray intensity, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) oscillation and H_α radiation and spectrum of hard X-rays, in the presence and absence of negative and positive limiter biasing, were measured. The results show that the application of limiter biasing during a major disruption can reduce runaway electron generation.     

用偏压限制器控制KT－5C托卡马克等离子体边缘电场的实验研究

在托卡马克ＫＴ－５Ｃ上，我们首次采用可灵活组合的多块限制器进行了施加偏压以控制等离子体边缘电场的实验，结果表明，在本装置上限制器加正偏压优于加负偏压，正偏压改变等离子体边缘电场效果更明显。偏压限制器收集面积、纵场和偏置电压的大小对偏压效果的影响都是敏感的。改变限制器收集面积和偏压导致的边缘电场的变化最终将趋于饱和，另外发现，偏压限制器与等离子体柱的相对位置对等离子体边缘电场的影响也是重要的。     

First Results of Biasing Experiments on the T-10 Tokamak

The first results of the electrode biasing experiments performed on the T-10 tokamak are presented. Positive voltage applied to an electrode inserted inside the tokamak limiter results in the H-mode transition characterised by a decrease of D emission intensity, a rise of line-average plasma density and an increase in energy lifetime. Growth of core electron and ion temperatures during the electrode biasing implies the formation of the thermal barrier in addition to the particle transport barrier.     

Design and fabrication of emissive biased limiter and its effect on tokamak plasma

In this paper, an emissive-biased limiter (EBL) was designed and fabricated then the magneto hydrodynamic activity was investigated based on Mirnov oscillations and hard X-ray spectroscopy through the tokamak plasma biasing. The EBL is positioned at r/a=0.92, and the biased voltage, which is varied from?250 to 250 V, applied between the head of the emissive limiter and vacuum chamber. Furthermore, the effects of the biased limiter for both negative and positive applied voltages are measured, and the results are compared with cold-biased limiter. As the results of IR-T1 tokamak suggest, in emissive negative polarity, the duration of plasma current is increased, compared with no bias, cold positive and emissive positive polarities. The amplitude of Mirnov fluctuations in emissive negative polarity is larger and more regular, compared with emissive positive polarity. The amplitude of the hard X-ray fluctuation in emissive negative polarity is very low compared with cold negative, cold positive and emissive positive polarities which leads to minimum energy loss.     

Numerical Modelling of Limiter Biasing Experiments on TEXTOR-94

The 2D multifluid code TECXY has been used to model the experimental biasing of the toroidal belt limiter ALT-II on the tokamak TEXTOR-94 with respect to the first wall. It is well known that the edge flow pattern can be influenced by the poloidal electric drifts from imposing radial electric fields. The modelling with TECXY introduces imprinted bias currents in the scrape-off layer for the case of negative (limiter) biasing, and imprinted bias potentials for the case of positive biasing. This allows to simulate sufficiently well the experimental current-voltage characteristics for either biasing and also reproduces the essential features and trends of the observed plasma profiles in the SOL. A moderate negative biasing is found to be optimal for the exhaust efficiency of the pump limiter.     

Modelling of particle flows in a scrape-off layer with limiter biasing

The superconducting tokamak Tore Supra will be equipped with an actively cooled toroidal pump limiter (TPL), in the framework of the CIEL (Composants Internes Et Limiteurs) project, dedicated to plasma facing component design for steady state operation. The TPL is equipped with throats, located only on the high field side, for particle collection allowing the control of plasma density which is essential for long plasma discharges. The present design work of the CIEL includes a biasing system in order to enhance the particle pumping. A fluid model, based on the classical fluid equation, is used to estimate the effects of the electric field on the particle flows in the Scrape-Off Layer (SOL). The modifications of the density, the particle flow (toroidal and poloidal) and the position of the stagnation point are discussed as a function of the bias voltage. The model clearly illustrates the different resulting effects on particle pumping for a divertor and a limiter configuration which are designed respectively for poloidal or parallel particle collection. The model is used to interpret the ALT-biasing experiments recently carried out on TEXTOR-94. The pumping capability is shown to be improved by about (15–20)% for positive biasing while the experimental measurements of parallel Mach number are reproduced as a function of the applied voltage. The e-folding length of the edge density in the SOL is also shown to increase from 1.5 to about 2.0 cm for a biased voltage of −400 to 400 V, respectively, in accordance with the model. Finally, the model is used to extrapolate the TEXTOR-94 results to CIEL suggesting that pumping speed enhancement of 25 to 30% may be obtained. Partner in Trilateral Euregio Cluster Partner in Trilateral Euregio Cluster Presented at the Workshop on Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust, Budapest, 18–19 June 2000.     

The effect of the use of different electrode materials for edge-plasma biasing on plasma density and floating potential modifications

The effect of the use of different electrode materials for edge-plasma biasing on plasma density and floating-potential profile modifications has been recently investigated on the CASTOR tokamak. Dependences of biasing current, edge plasma density and floating potential on biasing voltage have been measured. Induced relaxation events and fast (10–50) kHz oscillations are shown and surface changes of the biasing electrodes are discussed in the paper. Presented at the Workshop “Electric Fields, Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas”, Tarragona, Spain, July 3–4, 2005.     

First results of movable limiter experiments and its effects on the tokamak plasma confinement

Limiters play a number of roles in the tokamak operation. It serves primarily to protect the wall from the plasma when there are disruptions, runaway electrons, or other instabilities and also the limiters localize the plasma–surface interaction. In this research, we presented the first results of movable limiter experiments and its effects on the tokamak plasma confinement. For this purpose, we designed, constructed, and installed a movable localized poloidal limiter, and then measured the effects of limiter position on the time intervals of plasma parameters such as plasma density, temperature, and energy confinement time. The results of effects of the movable limiter experiments on plasma confinement.     

Edge Turbulence During Limiter Biasing Experiments in the TJ-II Stellarator

The influence of limiter biasing on plasma confinement, turbulence and plasma flows has been investigated in the TJ-II stellarator. Experimental results show that it is possible to modify global particle confinement and edge plasma parameters with both positive and negative biasing. Significant and minor modifications in the structure of plasma fluctuations have been observed during the transition to improved confinement regimes induced by limiter biasing. These results show evidence of electric field induced improved confinement via multiple mechanisms. The investigation of the relaxation of plasma potential and electric fields shows evidence of two different characteristic decay times.     

Convective cells and blob control in a simple magnetized plasma

Blob control by creating convective cells using biased electrodes is demonstrated in simple magnetized toroidal plasmas. A two-dimensional array of electrodes is installed on a metal limiter to obtain different biasing schemes. Detailed two-dimensional measurements across the magnetic field reveal the formation of a convective cell, which shows a high degree of uniformity along the magnetic field. Depending on the biasing scheme, radial and vertical blob velocities can be varied significantly. A high level of cross-field currents limits the achievable potential variations to values well below the applied bias voltage. Furthermore, the strongest potential variations are not induced along the biased flux tube, but at a position shifted in the direction of plasma flows.     

Limiter Biasing Experiments on the Tokamak ISTTOK

The influence of the polarization of a localized limiter on the global and edge parameters is described. In particular, the effect of varying the limiter position and the bias voltage is investigated. Improvement in confinement has been obtained for both positive and negative limiter bias as a result of the creation of large radial electric fields in the region just inside the fixed limiter. Furthermore, it has been observed that the modification in the floating potential due to limiter biasing is proportional to the collected current.     

Decay of enhanced density and damping of plasma flows after the electrode biasing termination on the CASTOR tokamak

Electrode biasing is a standard tool for modification of both edge and global plasma parameters on the CASTOR tokamak (R=0.4 m,a=85 mm,B _T=1.3 T,I _p1≈9 kA,q _a≈10). During a steady state phase of a discharge, a polarization voltage is applied on an electrode immersed into the edge plasma. This voltage causes radial currents that create radial electric field and, due to theE×B drift, they cause an enhanced rotation. Then, as a consequence, the interaction with walls decreases and particle confinement and density increase. Recently, the decay of plasma density and plasma flows after the termination of the biasing period was investigated on the CASTOR tokamak. These observations are linked to processes and mechanisms that control generation of radial electric fields in plasmas and damping ofE×B sheared flows and that therefore represent a key issue for understanding the transition to improved confinements modes. In the contribution, measured time scales of the transition to the ohmic regime after the biasing termination will be shown. Further, possible consequences of these measured scales for the valuation and explanation of important processes in the plasma will be discussed.     

Comment on determination of electron temperature from Langmuir probe data in tokamak edge plasma

Langmuir probe measurements of electron temperature in a plasma in the limiter shadow of a tokamak are presented together with a method of probe data analysis which takes into account the influence of the ion current vs voltage dependence in the determination of electron temperature, The method is based on the transformation of a single into a double probe characteristic. Values of the electron temperature calculated using this method are compared with the values estimated from single probe characteristic data.     

HL-1装置等离子体平衡的实验研究

用对称磁探针测量了HL-1装置等离子体环的水平位移和垂直位移,经微机数据处理系统即时给出了位移随时间的变化曲线,并对装置的杂散场情况作了讨论。实验表明,平衡场和杂散垂直场的合成场能保证等离子体平衡在孔栏中心附近的位置。     

Plasma Edge Biasing on CASTOR Tokamak Using LHCD

The interaction of high power lower hybrid waves with tokamak plasma results in a range of favourable but also unfavourable effects. This article deals with the effects observed by Langmuir probes on the small tokamak CASTOR. The most pronounced effects found are positive biasing of the whole plasma periphery and the formation of a negative "well" of floating potential in front of the launcher.     

HL-2M 装置限制器系统设计及工艺研究

HL-2M 装置设计有 8 套固定极向限制器和 1 套活动极向限制器,其主要功能是进一步加强保护真空 室及其内部件,同时活动限制器还将提供不同孔栏位形用于等离子体物理实验。根据 HL-2M 装置总体运行需求, 活动限制器结构设计可移动有效距离为 120mm,活动限制器移动精度可控制在±0.1mm 以内。基于激光跟踪仪测 量方法对 HL-2M 装置限制器系统完成了高精度的安装,限制器的面向等离子体关键位置安装精度优于±0.5mm, 通过初始等离子体放电实验表明其运行状态均正常。      

Analysis of the Limiter Material Erosion in T-3M Tokamak

The limiter material erosion dynamics under disruption instability in T-3M tokamak was studied. Erosion mechanisms of graphite (uglesitall) and boron nitride were examined. It was shown that the erosion of the limiter arises not only at the moment of disruption, but also before it, when the MHD perturbations of plasma column emerge. We had evidence of the superthermal electrons playing a significant role in the limiter erosion. The erosion decreases with the plasma density rising above the threshold value.     

The Role of Radial Electric Fields in the Tokamaks TEXTOR-94, CASTOR, and T-10

Radial electric fields (E _r) and their role in the establishment of edge transport barriers and improved confinement have been studied in the tokamaks TEXTOR-94 and CASTOR, where E _r is externally applied to the plasma in a controlled way using a biased electrode, as well as in the tokamak T-10 where an edge transport barrier (H-mode) is obtained during electron-cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) of the plasma.The physics of radial currents was studied and the radial conductivity in the edge of TEXTOR-94 (R = 1.75 m, a = 0.46 m) was found to be dominated by recycling (ion-neutral collisions) at the last closed flux surface (LCFS) and by parallel viscosity inside the LCFS. From a performance point of view (edge engineering), such electrode biasing was shown to induce a particle transport barrier, a reduction of particle transport, and a concomitant increase in energy confinement. An H-mode-like behaviour can be induced both with positive and negative electric fields. Positive as well as negative electric fields were shown to strongly affect the exhaust of hydrogen, helium, and impurities, not only in the H-mode-like regime.The impact of sheared radial electric fields on turbulent structures and flows at the plasma edge is investigated on the CASTOR tokamak (R = 0.4 m, a = 0.085 m). A non-intrusive biasing scheme that we call "separatrix biasing" is applied whereby the electrode is located in the scrape-off layer (SOL) with its tip just touching the LCFS. There is evidence of strongly sheared radial electric field and E×B flow, resulting in the formation of a transport barrier at the separatrix. Advanced probe diagnosis of the edge region has shown that the E×B shear rate that arises during separatrix biasing is larger than for standard edge plasma biasing. The plasma flows, especially the poloidal E×B drift velocity, are strongly modified in the sheared region, reaching Mach numbers as high as half the sound speed. The corresponding shear rates ( 5×10⁶ s^-1) derived from both the flow and electric field profiles are in excellent agreement and are at least an order of magnitude higher than the growth rate of unstable turbulent modes as estimated from fluctuation measurements.During ECRH in the tokamak T-10 (R = 1.5 m, a = 0.3 m), a regime of improved confinement is obtained with features resembling those in the H-mode in other tokamaks. Using a heavy ion beam probe, a narrow potential well is observed near the limiter together with the typical features of the L-H transition. The time evolution of the plasma profiles during L-H and H-L transitions is clearly correlated with that of the density profile and the formation of a transport barrier near the limiter. The edge electric field is initially positive after the onset of ECRH. It changes its sign during the L-H transition and grows till a steady condition is reached. Similar to the biasing experiments in TEXTOR-94 and CASTOR, the experimentally observed transport barrier is a barrier for particles.     

Efficiency of plasma biasing by movable localized limiter in tokamak ISTTOK

The correlation between the efficiency of plasma biasing and the position of a localized limiter has been investigated. It has been found that two distinct zones of limiter position can be distinguished in ISTTOK plasma: Far-zone at r _lim > 7.2 cm, and Close-zone at r _lim < 7.2 cm. The strongest modifications of edge plasma potential take place for both positive and negative limiter biasing when it is positioned inside Close-zone. The transition between zones is correlated with effective screening of the wall by the limiter, being more efficient as it is immersed deeper into the plasma. The indicative difference between zones can be a difference of non-ambipolar fluxes flowed onto short-circuited limiter: mostly positive (ion) inside Far-zone, and mostly negative (electron) inside Close-zone.Presented at the Workshop Electric Fields Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas, Nice, France, October 26–27, 2004.     

The structure of chaotic magnetic field lines in a tokamak withexternal nonsymmetric magnetic perturbations

We consider the effects of external nonsymmetric magnetostatic perturbations caused by resonant helical windings and a chaotic magnetic limiter on the plasma confined in a tokamak. The main purpose of both types of perturbation is to create a region in which field lines are chaotic in the Lagrangian sense: two initially nearby field lines diverge exponentially through many turns around the tokamak. The equilibrium field is obtained from the equations of magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium written down in a polar toroidal coordinate system. The magnetic fields generated by the resonant helical windings and the chaotic magnetic limiter are obtained through an analytical solution of Laplace equation. The magnetic field line equations are integrated to give a Hamiltonian mapping of field lines that we use to characterize the structure of chaotic field lines. In the case of resonant windings, we obtained the map by both numerical integration and a Hamiltonian formulation. For a chaotic limiter, we analytically derived a symplectic map by using a Hamiltonian formulation