From: irby@PSFC.MIT.EDU
Reply-To: IRBY@PSFC.MIT.EDU
Subject: Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
Organization: MIT


Alcator C-Mod Weekly Highlights
March 1, 2002


We continued invessel work on the new inner divertor this week. Machining
of the cylinder continued. Work on the new DNB installation and Lower Hybrid
MIE Project showed good progress.


Operations
----------

Two of the three port modifications to the retaining cylinder have been
completed. These changes will allow better tangential access to the
plasma. The OH2U and OH1 coaxes were installed this week. Resistance,
hi-pot, and ring tests were all to specification. Following first-to-last
turn hi-pots early next week, we will begin installation of the wedge
plate and remaining TF horizontal arms and vertical legs.


Lower Hybrid MIE Project
------------------------

The last equipment rack has been installed in the Cell (control & protection
cabinet for transmitter #1). Wiring of transmitter #3 is nearly complete,
and we have begun wiring transmitter #2. We have also begun populating the
regulator and filter board for the input RF switch and solid-state preamp.
We have begun work on the output waveguide assembly.

Testing of the prototype Lower Hybrid waveguide has started at PPPL.
PPPL is requesting a Fin Plan change to allow a more timely procurement of
remaining long-lead-time components this fiscal year. The PPPL LH
engineering group is preparing the background and paperwork for
these procurements.


ICRF Systems
------------

We have checked crowbars and protection circuits, tuned, and brought up both
transmitter #3 and #4 to approximately 1.8 MW into a dummy load. We are
now working to bring up #1 and #2. This work is in preparation for the
Spring run campaign. We continued to procure the parts needed for
approximately 50 new demodulator boards.

Inner Divertor
--------------

All inner divertor tiles have been installed and we are in the process of
doing final torque checks. Spot welding of the tile keeper hardware,
scheduled to be done next week, will complete installation of the
inner divertor.


DNB and Related Diagnostics
---------------------------

A great deal of progress was made on the new DNB installation this week with
an enormous amount of work provided by nine engineers from the Budker
Institute. The vacuum chamber was assembled and leak checked successfully.
The chamber was then moved onto its supports on the cell diagnostics stand.
A picture of the vacuum chamber installation in the C-Mod Cell can
be found at

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/cmod/operations/EngImages/Inspection_2001-2002/Disassembly_Assembly/Machine_assembly_A/DCP_0230.JPG

Four power electronics racks were installed in the cell at floor level, and
three more racks are ready to be installed. The transformer tank is leak
tested and filled with SF6.

Ron Bravenec, U Texas, was at C-Mod to set up the CAMAC crate for the DNB
(with guidance from Don Patterson at Texas). It will be tested once it can
be hooked up to a data highway. He also consulted with Rui Vieira and
Dexter Beals about the schedule of the F-Port flange (currently being welded
and expected to be finished next week), and prepared a schedule for UT-FRC's
diagnostics work and installations at F-Port. He also discussed hardware
issues with Howard Yuh and Russ Feder (of PPPL) concerning the MSE/BES
optics system.


Travel and Visits
-----------------

Miklos Porkolab attended the FESAC meeting on Feb. 27,28. Dmitri Mossessian
was at GA for the ITPA Pedestal meeting last week. Bruce Lipschultz was
also at GA, for an edge/divertor ITPA meeting.