Beam-Ion Acceleration during Edge Localized Modes in the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak.

The acceleration of beam ions during edge localized modes (ELMs) in a tokamak is observed for the first time through direct measurements of fast-ion losses in low collisionality plasmas. The accelerated beam-ion population exhibits well-localized velocity-space structures which are revealed by means of tomographic inversion of the measurement, showing energy gains of the order of tens of keV. This suggests that the ion acceleration results from a resonant interaction between the beam ions and parallel electric fields arising during the ELM. Orbit simulations are carried out to identify the mode-particle resonances responsible for the energy gain in the particle phase space. The observation motivates the incorporation of a kinetic description of fast particles in ELM models and may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for particle acceleration, ubiquitous in astrophysical and space plasmas.

First measurements of a scintillator based fast-ion loss detector near the ASDEX Upgrade divertor.

A new reciprocating scintillator based fast-ion loss detector has been installed a few centimeters above the outer divertor of the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak and between two of its lower Edge Localized Modes (ELM) mitigation coils. The detector head containing the scintillator screen, Faraday cup, calibration lamp, and collimator systems are installed on a motorized reciprocating system that can adjust its position via remote control in between plasma discharges. Orbit simulations are used to optimize the detector geometry and velocity-space coverage. The scintillator image is transferred to the light acquisition systems outside of the vacuum via a lens relay (embedded in a 3D-printed titanium holder) and an in-vacuum image guide. A charge coupled device camera, for high velocity-space resolution, and an 8 × 8 channel avalanche photo diode camera, for high temporal resolution (up to 2 MHz), are used as light acquisition systems. Initial results showing velocity-space of neutral beam injection prompt losses and fast-ion losses induced by a (2, 1) neoclassical tearing mode are presented.

A fast feedback controlled magnetic drive for the ASDEX Upgrade fast-ion loss detectors.

A magnetically driven fast-ion loss detector system for the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak has been designed and will be presented here. The device is feedback controlled to adapt the detector head position to the heat load and physics requirements. Dynamic simulations have been performed taking into account effects such as friction, coil self-induction, and eddy currents. A real time positioning control algorithm to maximize the detector operational window has been developed. This algorithm considers dynamical behavior and mechanical resistance as well as measured and predicted thermal loads. The mechanical design and real time predictive algorithm presented here may be used for other reciprocating systems.

Conceptual design of the ITER fast-ion loss detector.

A conceptual design of a reciprocating fast-ion loss detector for ITER has been developed and is presented here. Fast-ion orbit simulations in a 3D magnetic equilibrium and up-to-date first wall have been carried out to revise the measurement requirements for the lost alpha monitor in ITER. In agreement with recent observations, the simulations presented here suggest that a pitch-angle resolution of ∼5° might be necessary to identify the loss mechanisms. Synthetic measurements including realistic lost alpha-particle as well as neutron and gamma fluxes predict scintillator signal-to-noise levels measurable with standard light acquisition systems with the detector aperture at ∼11 cm outside of the diagnostic first wall. At measurement position, heat load on detector head is comparable to that in present devices.