Using motional Stark splitting of D α emission to constrain MHD equilibrium analysis in DIII-D plasmas.

ABSTRACT

We report tests of an alternate technique for constraining MHD equilibrium analysis in tokamak plasmas using internal magnetic field measurements based on | B | measurements from the motional Stark splitting of Dα spectral lines emitted by a neutral heating beam (MSE-LS). We compare results using MSE-LS with those of the standard equilibrium analysis technique based on line polarization of the Dα emission (MSE-LP). An alternative to MSE-LP is needed in future devices such as ITER where MSE-LP will be difficult due to a plasma-induced coating of the first optical element. The tests utilized data from 10 DIII-D shots with 7 MSE-LS and 14 MSE-LP views covering a range of radii along the outer midplane of the plasma. Seven MSE-LS measurements can contribute significantly to the equilibrium reconstruction of pressure and q profiles using both synthetic and experimental DIII-D MSE-LS data. For example, 7 MSE-LS plus seven MSE-LP measurements give a fit quality that is as good as the same cases with 14 MSE-LP measurements. Analyzing synthetic data for 14 MSE-LS measurements shows significant improvement in fitting quality over the case with 7 MSE-LS locations.