Real-time steerable frequency-stepped Doppler Backscattering (DBS) System for local helicon wave electric field measurements on the DIII-D tokamak

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Chowdhury, S., Crocker, N. A., Peebles, W. A., Lantsov, R., Rhodes, T. L., Zeng, L., Van Compernolle, B., Tang, S., Pinsker, R. I., Torrezan, A. C., Squire, J., Rupani, R., O'Neill, R., Cengher, M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Chowdhury, S.
Crocker, N. A.
Peebles, W. A.
Lantsov, R.
Rhodes, T. L.
Zeng, L.
Van Compernolle, B.
Tang, S.
Pinsker, R. I.
Torrezan, A. C.
Squire, J.
Rupani, R.
O'Neill, R.
Cengher, M.
author_facet Chowdhury, S.
Crocker, N. A.
Peebles, W. A.
Lantsov, R.
Rhodes, T. L.
Zeng, L.
Van Compernolle, B.
Tang, S.
Pinsker, R. I.
Torrezan, A. C.
Squire, J.
Rupani, R.
O'Neill, R.
Cengher, M.
contents A new frequency-stepped Doppler backscattering (DBS) system has been integrated with a real-time steerable electron cyclotron heating launcher to probe local background turbulence (f<10 MHz) and high-frequency (20-550 MHz) density fluctuations in the DIII-D tokamak. The launcher enables 2D steering (horizontal and vertical) over wide angular ranges to optimize probe location and wavenumber response, with vertical steering adjustable in real time during discharges. The DBS system utilizes a programmable frequency synthesizer with adjustable dwell time, capable of stepping across the E-band frequency range (60-90 GHz) in real time, launching either O or X-mode polarized millimeter waves. This setup facilitates diagnosis of the complex spatial structure of high-power (>200 kW) helicon waves (476 MHz) during current drive experiments. Real-time scans reveal broadband density fluctuations around the helicon frequency, attributed to backscattering of the DBS millimeter wave probe from plasma turbulence modulated by the helicon wave. These fluctuations appear as high-frequency sidebands in the turbulence spectrum, effectively 'tagging' the background turbulence with the helicon wave's electric field. This method allows for monitoring local helicon wave amplitude by comparing high-frequency signal amplitude to background turbulence. Coupled with real-time scanning of measurement location and wavenumber, this allows for rapid helicon wave power distribution determination during steady-state plasma operation, potentially validating predictive models like GENRAY or AORSA for helicon current drive in DIII-D plasmas.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_13028
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Real-time steerable frequency-stepped Doppler Backscattering (DBS) System for local helicon wave electric field measurements on the DIII-D tokamak
Chowdhury, S.
Crocker, N. A.
Peebles, W. A.
Lantsov, R.
Rhodes, T. L.
Zeng, L.
Van Compernolle, B.
Tang, S.
Pinsker, R. I.
Torrezan, A. C.
Squire, J.
Rupani, R.
O'Neill, R.
Cengher, M.
Plasma Physics
A new frequency-stepped Doppler backscattering (DBS) system has been integrated with a real-time steerable electron cyclotron heating launcher to probe local background turbulence (f<10 MHz) and high-frequency (20-550 MHz) density fluctuations in the DIII-D tokamak. The launcher enables 2D steering (horizontal and vertical) over wide angular ranges to optimize probe location and wavenumber response, with vertical steering adjustable in real time during discharges. The DBS system utilizes a programmable frequency synthesizer with adjustable dwell time, capable of stepping across the E-band frequency range (60-90 GHz) in real time, launching either O or X-mode polarized millimeter waves. This setup facilitates diagnosis of the complex spatial structure of high-power (>200 kW) helicon waves (476 MHz) during current drive experiments. Real-time scans reveal broadband density fluctuations around the helicon frequency, attributed to backscattering of the DBS millimeter wave probe from plasma turbulence modulated by the helicon wave. These fluctuations appear as high-frequency sidebands in the turbulence spectrum, effectively 'tagging' the background turbulence with the helicon wave's electric field. This method allows for monitoring local helicon wave amplitude by comparing high-frequency signal amplitude to background turbulence. Coupled with real-time scanning of measurement location and wavenumber, this allows for rapid helicon wave power distribution determination during steady-state plasma operation, potentially validating predictive models like GENRAY or AORSA for helicon current drive in DIII-D plasmas.
title Real-time steerable frequency-stepped Doppler Backscattering (DBS) System for local helicon wave electric field measurements on the DIII-D tokamak
topic Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.13028