A high-power spatial filter for Thomson scattering stray light reduction

The Thomson scattering diagnostic on the High Beta Tokamak-Extended Pulse (HBT-EP) is routinely used to measure electron temperature and density during plasma discharges. Avalanche photodiodes in a five-channel interference filter polychromator measure scattered light from a 6 ns, 800 mJ, 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser pulse. A low cost, high-power spatial filter was designed, tested, and added to the laser beamline in order to reduce stray laser light to levels which are acceptable for accurate Rayleigh calibration. A detailed analysis of the spatial filter design and performance is given. The spatial filter can be easily implemented in an existing Thomson scattering system without the need to disturb the vacuum chamber or significantly change the beamline. Although apertures in the spatial filter suffer substantial damage from the focused beam, with proper design they can last long enough to permit absolute calibration.     

Collection optics design for KSTAR Thomson scattering system

The collection optics designs are described for the Thomson scattering diagnostic of the Korea superconducting tokamak advanced research (KSTAR) device. The optical systems collecting the light emission induced through the interaction between the plasma electrons and a laser beam are key components for the Thomson scattering system. A duo-lens system was examined, and the final optical designs were derived for Thomson scattering diagnostic of KSTAR.     

The development of Thomson scattering system on HL-2A tokamak

A new Thomson scattering diagnostic system is successfully developed to measure core plasma electron temperature (Te) and density (ne) of HL-2A tokamak (major radius R=165 cm, minor radius a=40 cm). In this system, a standard lamp-monochromator combination is utilized for the calibration of spectral responses. By sweeping in the range of 750-1200 nm with a step of 2 nm, the work can be done automatically for one-point calibration and then for other. Electronic gain calibration and gain monitoring are done by pulsed light emitting diode light. By utilizing an intense Nd:YAG laser of pulse energy up to 4 J and employing good quality interference filters in the five-channel filter polychromator to surpress greatly the stray light, the TS system can be routinely used to make measurements with good quality data. After each HL-2A plasma discharge, the measured Te and ne data are transferred to HL-2A database for lookup and analyses.     

New Thomson scattering diagnostic on RFX-mod

This article describes the completely renovated Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic employed in the modified Reversed Field eXperiment (RFX-mod) since it restarted operation in 2005. The system measures plasma electron temperature and density profiles along an equatorial diameter, measuring in 84 positions with 7 mm spatial resolution. The custom built Nd:YLF laser produces a burst of 10 pulses at 50 Hz with energy of 3 J, providing ten profile measurements in a plasma discharge of about 300 ms duration. An optical delay system accommodates three scattering volumes in each of the 28 interference filter spectrometers. Avalanche photodiodes detect the Thomson scattering signals and allow them to be recorded by means of waveform digitizers. Electron temperature is obtained using an alternative relative calibration method, based on the use of a supercontinuum light source. Rotational Raman scattering in nitrogen has supplied the absolute calibration for the electron density measurements. During RFX-mod experimental campaigns in 2005, the TS diagnostic has demonstrated its performance, routinely providing reliable high resolution profiles.     

High sensitivity imaging Thomson scattering for low temperature plasma

A highly sensitive imaging Thomson scattering system was developed for low temperature (0.1-10 eV) plasma applications at the Pilot-PSI linear plasma generator. The essential parts of the diagnostic are a neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser operating at the second harmonic (532 nm), a laser beam line with a unique stray light suppression system and a detection branch consisting of a Littrow spectrometer equipped with an efficient detector based on a "Generation III" image intensifier combined with an intensified charged coupled device camera. The system is capable of measuring electron density and temperature profiles of a plasma column of 30 mm in diameter with a spatial resolution of 0.6 mm and an observational error of 3% in the electron density (n(e)) and 6% in the electron temperature (T(e)) at n(e) = 4 x 10(19) m(-3). This is achievable at an accumulated laser input energy of 11 J (from 30 laser pulses at 10 Hz repetition frequency). The stray light contribution is below 9 x 10(17) m(-3) in electron density equivalents by the application of a unique stray light suppression system. The amount of laser energy that is required for a n(e) and T(e) measurement is 7 x 10(20)n(e) J, which means that single shot measurements are possible for n(e)>2 x 10(21) m(-3).     

Progress of development of Thomson scattering diagnostic system on COMPASS

A new Thomson scattering diagnostic system has been designed and is being built now on the COMPASS tokamak at the Institute of Plasma Physics ASCR in Prague (IPP Prague) in the Czech Republic. This contribution focuses on design, development, and installation of the light collection and detection system. High spatial resolution of 3 mm will be achieved by a combination of design of collection optics and connected polychromators. Imaging characteristics of both core and edge plasma collection objectives are described and fiber backplane design is presented. Several calibration procedures are discussed. The operational deployment of the Thomson scattering diagnostic is planned by the end of 2010.     

Detection of dust on JET with the high resolution Thomson scattering system

Dust particles have been observed with Thomson scattering systems on several tokamaks. We present here the first evidence of dust particles observed by the new high resolution Thomson scattering system on JET. The system consists of filter spectrometers that analyze the Thomson scattering spectrum from 670 to 1050 nm in four spectral channels. The laser source is a 5 J Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Without a spectral channel at the laser wavelength, only dust particles that emit broadband light could be detected; these particles have been observed on JET after disruptions. The timing of their emission is clearly different from that expected for a Thomson scattering pulse. The light pulse from dust happens after the peak of the laser light and has a long tail.     

离轴三反空间光学望远系统的杂散光抑制

以点源透过率(PST)为评价标准,对一个离轴三反空间望远系统的杂散光进行了分析,并给出了分析结果。通过建立系统的实体模型,确定了一次、二次散射路径,采用改进的蒙特卡洛法,对20°之间各离轴角分别进行光线追迹。对模型的分析结果表明,系统产生杂散光的主要原因为一次散射,与光学系统结构密切相关。离轴角为±0.1°时,PST分别等于3.56和4.02,离轴角为±20°时,PST分别为6.63×10-5和4.58×10-5。实验表明,通过加入遮光罩及减小镜面散射率可减少杂散光。与离轴两反望远系统相比,三反系统的杂散光水平在大离轴角时偏大1到2个数量级,但可满足使用要求。     

4ω Thomson scattering probe for high-density plasma characterization at Titan

In preparation for the upcoming experiments on the Titan laser at the Jupiter Laser Facility, a new Thomson scattering system has been designed and implemented. This system allows electron temperature and density measurements in a high-density regime (n(e)>10(21)?cm(-3)). A 263 nm probe has been demonstrated to produce a total energy of 15 J at 4ω(263?nm) in a 1 ns square pulse with a focal spot size of 100?μm. This probe has been used for imaging Thomson scattering of the ion feature. The goal of this study is to investigate the heating of a preformed plasma by a short-pulse heater beam.     

星载大气痕量气体差分吸收光谱仪杂散光抑制

考虑杂散光对星载大气痕量气体差分吸收光谱仪测量精度的影响,设计了遮光罩和其他消杂光结构来抑制杂散光,并对杂散光进行了分析。利用TracePro软件分析了系统紫外通道1(240～315nm)的杂散光水平,确定了杂散光传输的一次、二次散射路径。根据杂散光传输路径,计算了杂散光评价指标点源透射比(PST)曲线,结果显示杂散光抑制措施效果明显,PST小于3×10-5,中心视场杂散光照度水平为5.472×10-4,最终杂散光水平达到了设计指标要求。采用截止滤光片法测量了系统的杂散光水平,结果表明:中心视场杂散光比值为8.167×10-4,和仿真结果接近,验证了仿真过程的准确性,说明设计的消杂光机构能够满足抑制系统杂散光的要求。     

Laser beam combiner for Thomson scattering core LIDAR

The light detection and ranging Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic is advantageous since it only requires a single view port into the tokamak. This technique requires a short pulse laser at high energy, usually showing a limited repetition rate. Having multiple lasers will increase the repetition rate. This paper presents a scanning mirror as a laser beam combiner. Measurements of the position accuracy and jitter show that the pointing stability of the laser beam is within ±25?μrad for over tens of seconds. A control feedback loop is implemented to demonstrate the long term stability. Such a system could be applied for ITER and JET.     

Fringe-jump corrected far infrared tangential interferometer/polarimeter for a real-time density feedback control system of NSTX plasmas

The far infrared tangential interferometer/polarimeter (FIReTIP) of the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has been set up to provide reliable electron density signals for a real-time density feedback control system. This work consists of two main parts: suppression of the fringe jumps that have been prohibiting the plasma density from use in the direct feedback to actuators and the conceptual design of a density feedback control system including the FIReTIP, control hardware, and software that takes advantage of the NSTX plasma control system (PCS). By investigating numerous shot data after July 2009 when the new electronics were installed, fringe jumps in the FIReTIP are well characterized, and consequently the suppressing algorithms are working properly as shown in comparisons with the Thomson scattering diagnostic. This approach is also applicable to signals taken at a 5 kHz sampling rate, which is a fundamental constraint imposed by the digitizers providing inputs to the PCS. The fringe jump correction algorithm, as well as safety and feedback modules, will be included as submodules either in the gas injection system category or a new category of density in the PCS.     

A 130 point Nd:YAG Thomson scattering diagnostic on MAST

A Thomson scattering diagnostic designed to measure both edge and core physics has been implemented on MAST. The system uses eight Nd:YAG lasers, each with a repetition rate of 30 Hz. The relative and absolute timing of the lasers may be set arbitrarily to produce fast bursts of measurements to suit the time evolution of the physics being studied. The scattered light is collected at F/6 by a 100 kg six element lens system with an aperture stop of 290 mm. The collected light is then transferred to 130 polychromators by 130 independent fiber bundles. The data acquisition and processing are based on a distributed computer system of dual core processors embedded in 26 chassis. Each chassis is standalone and performs data acquisition and processing for five polychromators. This system allows data to be available quickly after the MAST shot and has potential for real-time operations.     

基于米散射激光雷达的大气气溶胶检测系统设计

设计了一种基于米散射激光雷达的大气气溶胶检测系统。依据米散射激光雷达的原理,研究了激光光束与大气气溶胶的相互作用,设计并搭建了米散射激光雷达大气气溶胶检测实验平台,利用Zemax设计了一套具有滤波聚焦功能的光学望远系统。通过对光束进行扩束并利用可调谐式固定装置来增强回波信号强度。实验结果表明,设计的系统具有高的回波信号...     

Design of a new high repetition rate Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system for Heliotron J

A new high repetition rate Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system has been designed for the Heliotron J helical device. The main purpose of installing the new Thomson scattering system is an investigation of an improved confinement physics such as the edge transport barrier (H-mode) or the internal transport barrier of the helical plasma. The system has 25 spatial points with ～10?mm resolution. Two high repetition Nd:YAG lasers (>550?mJ?at?50?Hz) realize the measurement of the time evolution of the plasma profile with 10 ms time interval. Scattered light is collected with a large concave mirror (D=800?mm,?f/2.25) with a solid angle of ～100?msr. The laser beam is injected from obliquely downward to upward, and obliquely backscattered light is detected (scattering angle is 20°). Model simulation of the polychromator shows the measurable electron temperature and density range are from 10 eV to 10 keV, >5×10(18)?m(-3) within 3% error for the temperature measurement, respectively.     

Raman calibration of the HT-7 yttrium aluminum garnet Thomson scattering for electron density measurements

A multipulse neodym doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser Thomson scattering system calibrated by the anti-Stokes rotational Raman scattering from nitrogen gas had been developed in the HT-7 superconducting Tokmak. By virtue of this system, measured electron density results of the plasma were obtained. The results showed good repeatability and its total uncertainty was estimated to be +/-18%.     

Laser system for high resolution Thomson scattering diagnostics on the COMPASS tokamak

A new Thomson scattering diagnostic has been designed and is currently being installed on the COMPASS tokamak in IPP Prague in the Czech Republic. The requirements for this system are very stringent with approximately 3 mm spatial resolution at the plasma edge. A critical part of this diagnostic is the laser source. To achieve the specified parameters, a multilaser solution is utilized. Two 30 Hz 1.5 J Nd:YAG laser systems, used at the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm, are located outside the tokamak area at a distance of 20 m from the tokamak. The design of the laser beam transport path is presented. The approach leading to a final choice of optimal focusing optics is given. As well as the beam path to the tokamak, a test path of the same optical length was built. Performance tests of the laser system carried out using the test path are described.     

Development of a nine spatial point, multipulse Thomson scattering diagnostic

A Thomson scattering diagnostic has been developed for the C-2 field-reversed configuration device. Based on a multipulse ruby laser, the system measures the electron temperature at nine spatial points. These points are chosen from 22 selectable positions covering r≈1-41?cm. Twin collection lenses couple the scattered photons to nine optical fiber pairs. Extra fiber lengths delay the signals from different spatial points relative to each other, allowing up to three points to be analyzed by a single polychromator. The polychromator, using compact photomultipliers as detectors, has six spectral channels covering the range of 685-725 nm and is able to estimate electron temperatures of ≈10-200?eV. The photomultiplier output signals are recorded by digital storage oscilloscopes integrated with the main MDSplus database, with temperature and error estimates generated automatically at the conclusion of each plasma discharge.     

航天消光黑漆双向反射分布函数的测量与应用

为了了解经过消光黑漆(Z306)喷涂处理后航天相机遮光罩表面对杂散光的散射特性,对喷涂了Z306的铝板样品进行了双向反射分布函数(BRDF)测量和建模分析。通过测量获得了黑漆样片在0.65μm波段的BRDF值。结合Z306黑漆测量数据的散射特征,选择了适合粗糙黑漆表面的Microfacet-based模型,并对模型进行了修正。使用修正的Microfacet-based模型对测量数据处理并建模,得到了样片整个半球空间的BRDF数据,弥补了测量数据量少和测量误差带来的缺陷。将黑漆的BRDF数据代入软件,分析并进行了光学系统杂散光测试验证。结果表明:采用修正的Microfacet-based模型处理黑漆的BRDF后,分析光学系统杂散光(点扩散函数,PST)得到的结果与实际测量的杂散光(PST)的一致性很高,实测值与分析值比值的对数精度优于0.5。得到的结果证明了BRDF建模的必要性和数据处理的准确性,为光学系统的杂散光抑制提供了重要的保障。     

Synchronization of Thomson scattering measurements on MAST using an FPGA based "Smart" trigger unit

The MAST Thomson scattering diagnostic has recently been upgraded to make electron density and temperature measurements at 130 points across the 1.5 m diameter of the plasma. The new system is able to take 240 measurements per second using eight Nd:YAG lasers, each running at 30 Hz. The exact firing time of these lasers is adjusted with 100 ns precision using a field programmable gate array based trigger unit. Trigger pulses are produced to fire the lamps of all lasers and the Q switches with the appropriate delay depending on the warm-up status. The lasers may be fired in rapid bursts so as to achieve a high temporal resolution over eight points separated down to the microsecond level. This trigger unit receives optical trigger events and signals from external sources, allowing the trigger sequences to be resynchronized to the start of the plasma pulse and further events during the shot such as the entry of a fuelling pellet or randomly occurring plasma events. This resynchronization of the laser firing sequence allows accurate and reproducible measurements of fast plasma phenomena.