Open AccessPlasma Shape Control on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) using Real-time Equilibrium Reconstruction
Author(s) -
D. Gates,
J. R. Ferron,
M.G. Bell,
T. Gibney,
Robert D. Johnson,
R. Marsala,
D. Mastrovito,
J. Ménard,
D. Mueller,
B.G. Penaflor,
S.A. Sabbagh,
T. Stevenson
Publication year - 2005
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/839126
Subject(s) - torus , boundary (topology) , flux (metallurgy) , plasma , physics , computer science , control theory (sociology) , control (management) , geometry , mathematics , nuclear physics , materials science , mathematical analysis , artificial intelligence , metallurgy
Plasma shape control using real-time equilibrium reconstruction has been implemented on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). The rtEFIT code originally developed for use on DIII-D was adapted for use on NSTX. The real-time equilibria provide calculations of the flux at points on the plasma boundary, which is used as input to a shape control algorithm known as isoflux control. The flux at the desired boundary location is compared to a reference flux value, and this flux error is used as the basic feedback quantity for the poloidal-field coils on NSTX. The hardware that comprises the control system is described, as well as the software infrastructure. Examples of precise boundary control are also presented