Investigation of Alfvén eigenmodes in Alcator C-Mod using active MHD spectroscopy
Name
54977524-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
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6.55 MB
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Checksum (MD5)
91342ac487d24a3894bd4e92f4ec9f5f
Author(s)
Schmittdiel, D. (David), 1978-
Advisor(s)
Joseph A. Snipes.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Alfvén eigenmodes that exist in the shear Alfvén continuum of toroidal magnetic fusion devices may be important for the confinement of energetic particles, particularly fusion-born alpha particles in burning plasma experiments. Interaction between these energetic particles and weakly damped toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes (TAE's) may cause anomalous particle transport leading to incomplete thermalization and possible first wall damage. These consequences must be avoided in next step burning plasma devices and thus an investigation into the stability of TAE's in present machines un- der reactor-like conditions is essential. Measurement of the damping rate of TAE's will provide insight into this area of research. The investigation of TAE's on Alcator C-Mod is accomplished by employing the recently completed Active MHD Spectroscopy system. Antennas mounted inside the C-Mod vacuum vessel are driven by a high power amplifier in the TAE range of frequencies and excite modes inside the plasma. Magnetic fluctuation diagnostics provide the plasma response to this excitation. The damping rate is then calculated from the complex transfer function between the antenna current and plasma response signals.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (119-121).
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Subjects
Nuclear Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
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