Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
From: WOLFE@CMOD2.PFC.MIT.EDU
Organization: MIT
Subject: Alcator C-mod Weekly Highlights

Alcator C-MOD Weekly Highlights
Nov. 16, 1994

We are presently in a normal pre-operational cycle. Good progress has been
made this week in readying the machine for plasma operation.

The first coil cool-down to operating temperature was carried out early in the
week. No problems were encountered. The structure cool-down was also begun,
and the structure is now at operating temperature.

High power tests under PLC control were carried out last Thursday. All
supplies have now been tested.

Following leak checking, the machine was baked to 120C over the weekend. A
final leak check revealed one remaining very small leak, which was repaired.
The base pressure was then in the low 10^-8 Torr range with the walls at 35C,
which is consistent with the best vacuum conditions obtained in the past.

The gas system has been baked and is now operational.

Discharge cleaning (ECDC) was turned on Tuesday and run overnight.

The West-side igloo cover has been installed, permitting the upper optics for
the Thomson scattering and TCI interferometer to be installed and aligned.

Diagnostic installation is proceeding. The ECE beamline is now in place. The
Johns Hopkins Moly Monitor has been re-installed. The plasma TV system is
operational.

A new release of MDSplus, including new versions of all the CAMAC driver
modules, has been installed and is being debugged.

Power system testing will resume today, including Hybrid feedback control. The
latest release of the PCS plasma control system interface will be in use.

Most of the Alcator physics staff and students attended the APS-DPP meeting in
Minneapolis last week. Two invited papers, and a total of 31 contributed
papers, including 11 by our outside collaborators, were presented.