A protection system for the JET ITER-like wall based on imaging diagnostics.

The new JET ITER-like wall (made of beryllium and tungsten) is more fragile than the former carbon fiber composite wall and requires active protection to prevent excessive heat loads on the plasma facing components (PFC). Analog CCD cameras operating in the near infrared wavelength are used to measure surface temperature of the PFCs. Region of interest (ROI) analysis is performed in real time and the maximum temperature measured in each ROI is sent to the vessel thermal map. The protection of the ITER-like wall system started in October 2011 and has already successfully led to a safe landing of the plasma when hot spots were observed on the Be main chamber PFCs. Divertor protection is more of a challenge due to dust deposits that often generate false hot spots. In this contribution we describe the camera, data capture and real time processing systems. We discuss the calibration strategy for the temperature measurements with cross validation with thermal IR cameras and bi-color pyrometers. Most importantly, we demonstrate that a protection system based on CCD cameras can work and show examples of hot spot detections that stop the plasma pulse. The limits of such a design and the associated constraints on the operations are also presented.

Progress of the ITER equatorial vis/IR wide angle viewing system optical design.

The equatorial vis/IR wide angle viewing system is present in four ITER diagnostic equatorial ports. This instrument will cover a large field of view with high spatial and temporal resolutions, to provide real time temperature measurements of plasma facing components, spectral data in the visible range, information on runaway electrons, and pellet tracking. This diagnostic needs to be reliable, precise, and long lasting. Its design is driven by both the tokamak severe environment and the high performances required for machine protection. The preliminary design phase is ongoing. Paramount issues are being tackled, relative to wide spectral band optical design, material choice, and optomechanical difficulties due to the limited space available for this instrument in the ports, since many other diagnostics and services are also present. Recent progress of the diagnostic optical design and status of associated R&D are presented.