Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
From: FAIRFAX@CMOD2.PFC.MIT.EDU
Subject: Alcator Progress 8/25/94

The repair/maintenance period for Alcator C-Mod is continuing. The first
inner coax component has been received. This piece, which is machined from
asingle piece of copper, has slots machined into it, using EDM techniques,
in order to provide compliance between the inner and outer conductors.
Preliminary inspection results indicate that the piece is within
specifications and can be used for the OH2L bus, which is the first that
must be installed during the reassembly process. Machining of the inner
conductors for the upper coaxial bus is proceeding.

One recommendation that came out of the engineering review of the bus
failure was that we consider instrumentation to monitor the condition of
the felt-metal joints in the OH terminals. Testing on a prototype coil
indicat es that this can be done by monitoring the voltage drop across
the joint during high current operation. Instrumentation to accomplish
this is being designed into the replacement coaxes.

Upgrading of the third FMIT power supply, which will be required for the
3'rd two megawatt ICRF transmitter, has been completed by Uptegraf, and the supply will be shipped to MIT shortly. This will be used with the PPPL
tunable source and antenna, scheduled for installation in 1996.

This week, Steve Wolfe is attending the ITER Experts Committee meeting on
Confinement and Transport at the San Diego co-center.