PPPL-4759

Radial Resolution Enhancement of the NSTX Thomson Scattering Diatnostic

Authors: B.P. LeBlanc, A. Diallo, G. Labik, and D.R. Stevens

Abstract:
Current magnetic confinement plasma physics research has increased the demand for radial resolution in profile diagnostics, in particular in the edge and pedestal regions. On NSTX, an upgrade of the existing multipoint Thomson scattering (MPTS) diagnostic has been implemented in order to respond to the research program needs. Twelve new radial channels have been added bringing the total number of positions to 42. Four previously un-instrumented fiber bundles were put in service. Eight existing “active” fiber bundles were divided in two sub-bundles in order to increase spatial resolution. Twelve radial channels now cover the pedestal region with a resolution near one centimeter, which is comparable to the thermal-ion Larmor radius of high power plasmas. Fifteen radial channels cover the core and internal transport barrier regions. Two additional channels were added, one near the inner edge and one in the outer scrape-off layer, which now has five radial channels. The intersection of the focused viewing optics field of view with a finite-width laser beam results in major-radius crosstalk between adjacent fiber sub-bundles. A discussion and calculation of the crosstalk will be presented.
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Submitted to: Review of Scientific Instruments (May 2012) and 19th Topic al Conference High-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics, Monterey, CA May 6-10, 2012

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