Progress in the Construction of NCSX
Authors: G. Neilson, B. Nelson, N. Pomphrey, W. Reiersen, A. Boozer, A. Brooks, T. Brown, M. Cole, L. Dudek, J. Chrzanowski, H.M. Fan, P. Fogarty, E. Fredrickson, G. Gettelfinger, P. Goranson, P. Heitzenroeder, E. Lazarus, J. Lyon, F. Malinowski, S. Raftopoulos, B. Stratton, R. Simmons, R. Strykowsky, M. Viola, M. Williams, D. Williamson, and M. Zarnstorff
Abstract:
The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) is currently being constructed at PPPL in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laborabotory (ORNL). It is motivated by the need for a compact confinement configuration for steady-state operation disruption-free MFE systems. Technological challenges in the construction of NCSX are 1) realizing the complex magnetic field geometry with the accuracy required to obtain attractive plasma properties, and 2) providing for the physical measurements needed to diagnose those properties in experiments. Design and manufacturing solutions, including materials, processes, and inspection methods coupled to CAD modeling and analysis, were developed for key components. Manufacture of the modular coils and vacuum vessel began in 2004. Currently, the modular coils and toroidal field coils are in production, vacuum vessel fabrication is complete, and layout of an innovative diagnostic flux loop array is in the early stages. The project is on schedule for completion in July, 2009.
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Download PPPL-4188 November 2006 (pdf 836 KB)
Presented at the Twenty-First IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, 16–22 October 2006, Chengdu, China.