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A Novel, Cost-Effective, High-Channel-Density Multi-point Thomson

Scattering System for Diagnosing High-Temperature Plasmas on the
Pegasus Toroidal Experiment (Invited)

Conference Paper · June 2016

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 A Novel, Cost-Effective, High-Channel-Density Multi-point
Thomson Scattering System for Diagnosing High-Temperature
Plasmas on the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment

D.J. Schlossberg
J.L. Barr, G.M. Bodner, M.W. Bongard, M.G. Burke,
R.J. Fonck, J.M. Perry, J.A. Reusch, C. Rodriguez Sanchez

21st Topical Conference on High-Temperature

Plasma Diagnostics
June 5-9, 2016 PEGASUS
TOROIDAL EXPERIMENT
Madison, WI
 Motivation
• Pegasus system takes pragmatic approach to Thomson scattering:
– Design for simplicity, low personnel-requirements, cost-effectiveness
– Accept some cost to total efficiency

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Motivation
• Pegasus system takes pragmatic approach to Thomson scattering:
– Design for simplicity, low personnel-requirements, cost-effectiveness
– Accept some cost to total efficiency

• Result: a highly-optimized system

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Motivation
• Pegasus system takes pragmatic approach to Thomson scattering:
– Design for simplicity, low personnel-requirements, cost-effectiveness
– Accept some cost to total efficiency

• Result: a highly-optimized system

– Detectors use image-intensifiers with increased efficiency 400 – 700 nm
– Diffraction gratings optimized for this wavelength range
– Frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) emits in center of this range

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Motivation
• Pegasus system takes pragmatic approach to Thomson scattering:
– Design for simplicity, low personnel-requirements, cost-effectiveness
– Accept some cost to total efficiency

• Result: a highly-optimized system

– Detectors use image-intensifiers with increased efficiency 400 – 700 nm
– Diffraction gratings optimized for this wavelength range
– Frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) emits in center of this range
– Image intensifiers provide time-of-flight stray light rejection
– Easily reconfigurable wavelength bins
– Low maintenance with fully automated intra-shot laser alignment

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Pegasus is a compact, ultralow aspect ratio spherical tokamak
Equilibrium Field Coils High-Stress Ohmic Plasma and Thomson sightline
Heating Solenoid Experimental Parameters
Parameter Achieved
A 1.15 – 1.3
Vacuum
R(m) 0.2 – 0.45
Vessel
Ip (MA) ≤ .21
κ 1.4 – 3.7
τshot (s) ≤ 0.025
βt (%) ≤ 25

Major research thrusts include:

• Non-inductive startup and sustainment
• Plasma stability as A à 1

Toroidal
Field Coils Local Helicity
Injectors

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 A novel Thomson scattering system was conceptualized,
designed and implemented

• Guiding principles for Pegasus design:

1. Simplicity
2. Cost-effectiveness
3. Ease of expansion

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 A novel Thomson scattering system was conceptualized,
designed and implemented

• Guiding principles for Pegasus design: Parameter Value

Expected e- temperatures 10 – 1000 eV
1. Simplicity
Typical densities 0.1 – 5 x 1019 m-3
2. Cost-effectiveness Major radius viewing range 11 – 85 cm
3. Ease of expansion Scattering length/channel 1.2 cm
Spatial channels 24
Spatial channels/spectrometer 8
System etendue 0.87 mm2-ster
Collection f/# (on-axis) 6
Laser wavelength 532 nm
Laser pulse energy >2.0 J
Number of laser photons/pulse 5 x 1018
Photo-electrons/1019 plasma e- ≈4.8 x 103

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 A novel Thomson scattering system was conceptualized,
designed and implemented

• Guiding principles for Pegasus design: Parameter Value

Expected e- temperatures 10 – 1000 eV
1. Simplicity
Typical densities 0.1 – 5 x 1019 m-3
2. Cost-effectiveness Major radius viewing range 11 – 85 cm
3. Ease of expansion Scattering length/channel 1.2 cm
Spatial channels 24
Spatial channels/spectrometer 8
• These criteria led to unique design
System etendue 0.87 mm2-ster
choices
Collection f/# (on-axis) 6
Laser wavelength 532 nm
Laser pulse energy >2.0 J
Number of laser photons/pulse 5 x 1018
Photo-electrons/1019 plasma e- ≈4.8 x 103

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Pegasus Thomson scattering uses Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm,
transmission gratings, and ICCD cameras
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m
Volume Phase Holographic
(VPH) transmission grating

Turning mirror & 2.3 m

beam line lens Fiber bundle
entrance slit

Collection region

PEGASUS vacuum
vessel Image-Intensified CCD
(ICCD) camera
1.2 m

3.2 m to Beam
dump

For more information, see:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 D.J. Schlossberg, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E335 (2012).
D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm provides 2 J at 10 Hz
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m

Turning mirror & 2.3 m

beam line lens

Beam waist <3 mm

PEGASUS vacuum
vessel

3.2 m to Beam
dump

For more information, see:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 D.J. Schlossberg, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E335 (2012).
D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm provides 2 J at 10 Hz
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Commercial laser:
Continuum Powerlite DLS Plus 2 J

Turning mirror & 2.3 m • Reliable, “turn-key” operation of laser desired

beam line lens
– Low impact on personnel requirements

Beam waist <3 mm

PEGASUS vacuum
vessel

3.2 m to Beam
dump

For more information, see:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 D.J. Schlossberg, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E335 (2012).
D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm provides 2 J at 10 Hz
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Commercial laser:
Continuum Powerlite DLS Plus 2 J

Turning mirror & 2.3 m • Reliable, “turn-key” operation of laser desired

beam line lens
– Low impact on personnel requirements

• Operate at 2ω to match peak sensitivity of detectors

Beam waist <3 mm

PEGASUS vacuum
vessel

3.2 m to Beam
dump

For more information, see:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 D.J. Schlossberg, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E335 (2012).
D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm provides 2 J at 10 Hz
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Commercial laser:
Continuum Powerlite DLS Plus 2 J

Turning mirror & 2.3 m • Reliable, “turn-key” operation of laser desired

beam line lens
– Low impact on personnel requirements

• Operate at 2ω to match peak sensitivity of detectors

Beam waist <3 mm

PEGASUS vacuum • Visible lasing eases alignment and safety issues

vessel

3.2 m to Beam
dump

For more information, see:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 D.J. Schlossberg, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E335 (2012).
D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
– Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
2.3 m

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m

Ethernet-based fast-
framing cameras

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m

Ethernet-based fast-
framing cameras

Exit Turning 1 mm grid, Beamline

window mirror opal glass camera

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m

Ethernet-based fast-
framing cameras

Exit Turning 1 mm grid, Beamline

window mirror opal glass camera

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m – Beam is attenuated through mirror, then ND filter stack

Ethernet-based fast-
framing cameras

Exit Turning 1 mm grid, Beamline

window mirror opal glass camera

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
 Laser system features intra-shot, automated alignment
Nd:YAG laser
3.4 m • Alignment uses precision, off-the-shelf components
– Remotely actuated turning mirrors, 11.1µm adjustment
Remotely actuated – Ethernet-based cameras monitor beam entrance & exit
turning mirrors 2.3 m – Beam is attenuated through mirror, then ND filter stack

• LabVIEW routine feeds back on image centroids to

automatically align laser
Ethernet-based fast-
framing cameras

3.2 m to Beam
dump

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

See poster next session, Grant Bodner 6.2.09
Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm
100

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80

60
10 eV

40
100 eV
20 500 eV
0
530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm
100

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80
• Divide into 2 regions for optimized resolution
60
10 eV
– Use 2 gratings with interchangeable, kinematic mounts
40
100 eV
20 500 eV
0
530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm High Te grating
100 Low Te grating

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80
• Divide into 2 regions for optimized resolution
60
10 eV
– Use 2 gratings with interchangeable, kinematic mounts
40
100 eV
20 500 eV
0
530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm High Te grating
100 Low Te grating

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80
• Divide into 2 regions for optimized resolution
60
10 eV
– Use 2 gratings with interchangeable, kinematic mounts
40
100 eV
– Optimize diffraction efficiency for each range 20 500 eV
0
530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm High Te grating
100 Low Te grating

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80
• Divide into 2 regions for optimized resolution
60
10 eV
– Use 2 gratings with interchangeable, kinematic mounts
40
100 eV
– Optimize diffraction efficiency for each range 20 500 eV
0
530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

Optimized diffraction efficiency for 2 gratings

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Spectrometers employ VPH gratings and ICCD cameras:
High efficiency in visible region
Predicted scattered signal 532 – 600 nm
• For expected Te, scattering from 532 < λ < 600 nm High Te grating
100 Low Te grating

Scattered SIgnal (AU)

80
• Divide into 2 regions for optimized resolution
60
10 eV
– Use 2 gratings with interchangeable, kinematic mounts
40
100 eV
– Optimize diffraction efficiency for each range 20 500 eV
0
• Detector is an Image Intensified CCD (ICCD) camera 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600
10 eV

Scattered Wavelength (nm) 100 eV

500 eV

– Generation 3 photocathode with QE ~ 50%

Optimized diffraction efficiency for 2 gratings
– Fast gating capability to 1.2 ns

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 For more information, see:

N.L. Schoenbeck, et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E330 (2012)
 Viewing volumes configured for scattering or background
measurements
• Each sample volume: 1.5 cm radial resolution Background
1.5 cm radial resolution
channel

• Off-laser channels used for co-located Data

channel 0.3 cm
background measurements
– Presently uses data & background pairs

Translate array
along beam

80 cm viewing area

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Viewing volumes configured for scattering or background
measurements
• Each sample volume: 1.5 cm radial resolution Background
1.5 cm radial resolution
channel

• Off-laser channels used for co-located Data

channel 0.3 cm
background measurements
– Presently uses data & background pairs

Translate array
• Channels smoothly translated along major along beam

radius at collection optics 80 cm viewing area

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Viewing volumes configured for scattering or background
measurements
• Each sample volume: 1.5 cm radial resolution Background
1.5 cm radial resolution
channel

• Off-laser channels used for co-located Data

channel 0.3 cm
background measurements
– Presently uses data & background pairs

Translate array
• Channels smoothly translated along major along beam

radius at collection optics 80 cm viewing area

• Collection optics are a multi-element, custom

lens system
– 13.4 cm dia. aperture facing plasma
– F/2 imaging onto fiber bundles

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

A single ICCD measures 8 spatial locations and all wavelength
bins
Ch 8

• Multiple spatial locations imaged onto a Ch 7

single ICCD Ch 6
Ch 5
– Spatial location maps vertically on detector Ch 4
– Wavelength increases right-to-left on detector Ch 3
– 13.3 mm2 CCDs are 1024 x 1024 pixels Ch 2
Ch 1
579.96 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm 532 nm

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

A single ICCD measures 8 spatial locations and all wavelength
bins
Ch 8

• Multiple spatial locations imaged onto a Ch 7

Spatial location
single ICCD Ch 6
Ch 5
– Spatial location maps vertically on detector Ch 4
– Wavelength increases right-to-left on detector Ch 3
– 13.3 mm2 CCDs are 1024 x 1024 pixels Ch 2
Ch 1
579.96 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm 532 nm

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

A single ICCD measures 8 spatial locations and all wavelength
bins
Ch 8

• Multiple spatial locations imaged onto a Ch 7

Spatial location
single ICCD Ch 6
Ch 5
– Spatial location maps vertically on detector Ch 4
– Wavelength increases right-to-left on detector Ch 3
– 13.3 mm2 CCDs are 1024 x 1024 pixels Ch 2
Ch 1
579.96 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm 532 nm

wavelength

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

A single ICCD measures 8 spatial locations and all wavelength
bins
Ch 8

• Multiple spatial locations imaged onto a Ch 7

Spatial location
single ICCD Ch 6
Ch 5
– Spatial location maps vertically on detector Ch 4
– Wavelength increases right-to-left on detector Ch 3
– 13.3 mm2 CCDs are 1024 x 1024 pixels Ch 2
Ch 1
579.96 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm 532 nm

wavelength
Ch 8
• Binning prior to readout boosts signal-to- Ch 7
noise ratio Ch 6
– Bin 64 pix H x ~130 pix V Ch 5

– Obtain photon-noise dominated statistics for ne Ch 4

> 1018 m-3 Ch 3

Ch 2
Ch 1
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
579.96 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm 532 nm
 Data flow involves several image processing steps
Raw data image: 8 spatial channels
Data Processing Steps: Bkgd, 23.3 cm
Bkgd, 21.2 cm
23.3 cm
21.2 cm
1. Subtract a dark image (shutter closed) 19.5 cm
17.9 cm
Bkgd, 19.5 cm
2. Correct for instrument function Bkgd, 17.9 cm

3. Subtract background channel Scattered spectrum from single-shot

4. Fit scattered spectrum to obtain Te

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition
• VPH grating provides 1 optic for all wavelength bins

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition
• VPH grating provides 1 optic for all wavelength bins

• ICCD camera provides built-in digitizer

– Single element samples all wavelength bins
– Tremendously simplifies data acquisition system

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition
• VPH grating provides 1 optic for all wavelength bins

• ICCD camera provides built-in digitizer

– Single element samples all wavelength bins
– Tremendously simplifies data acquisition system

• Spatial channels stacked vertically on detector:

– 8 spatial channels per spectrometer
– All wavelength bins for 8 channels acquired by single component (ICCD)

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition
• VPH grating provides 1 optic for all wavelength bins Ch 8
Ch 7
Ch 6
• ICCD camera provides built-in digitizer Ch 5
Ch 4
– Single element samples all wavelength bins
Ch 3
– Tremendously simplifies data acquisition system Ch 2
Ch 1
• Spatial channels stacked vertically on detector: 592 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm
532 nm

– 8 spatial channels per spectrometer

– All wavelength bins for 8 channels acquired by single component (ICCD)

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Scaleable spectrometer design has built-in data acquisition
• VPH grating provides 1 optic for all wavelength bins Ch 8
Ch 7
Ch 6
• ICCD camera provides built-in digitizer Ch 5
Ch 4
– Single element samples all wavelength bins
Ch 3
– Tremendously simplifies data acquisition system Ch 2
Ch 1
• Spatial channels stacked vertically on detector: 592 nm 557 nm 546.07 nm
532 nm

– 8 spatial channels per spectrometer

– All wavelength bins for 8 channels acquired by single component (ICCD)

• Result:
– Readily scaleable system
– 8 spatial channels,16 spectral bins per single grating/ICCD pair
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Custom in-ve
vesse
ssell baffle syste
system ext
xtiinguish
shees str
stray light
“Primary” rays scattered from vacuum “Secondary” rays scattered from critical All passing primary rays captured in
window stopped by critical aperture aperture stopped by subcritical aperture exit tube stopped by aperture

Laser in
from Plasma To exit
region window
entrance
≈ 2m
window
13 cm All passing secondary rays
stopped by louver baffle
Critical aperture Subcritical aperture Louver baffle

Enable 3D View

D.J.
D.J.Schlossberg,
Schlossberg,HTPD
HTPD2016
2016 Click for Previous View Click for next view
 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal

Stray light mitigation testing in vacuum

1.2x106

1.0
Dark-subtracted counts

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

-20 -10 0 10 20
Collection Time w.r.t. Laser Fire (ns)
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal
• Stray light levels sufficiently reduced using apertures

Stray light mitigation testing in vacuum

1.2x106

1.0
Dark-subtracted counts

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

-20 -10 0 10 20
Collection Time w.r.t. Laser Fire (ns)
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal
• Stray light levels sufficiently reduced using apertures
• Time-of-flight rejection eliminates remaining stray light component

Stray light mitigation testing in vacuum

1.2x106

1.0
Dark-subtracted counts

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

-20 -10 0 10 20
Collection Time w.r.t. Laser Fire (ns)
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal
• Stray light levels sufficiently reduced using apertures
• Time-of-flight rejection eliminates remaining stray light component

Stray light mitigation testing in vacuum Rayleigh scattering results

1.2x106
Data
1.0 Bkgd Chan
Scattering
Dark-subtracted counts

0.8

0.6

0.4 Reflection
0.2

0.0

-20 -10 0 10 20
Collection Time w.r.t. Laser Fire (ns)
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Stray light mitigated by in-vessel baffling
and eliminated by time-of-flight rejection
• Collection time window scanned for each step in mitigation process
– Sources of stray light identified by change in times of peak stray signal
• Stray light levels sufficiently reduced using apertures
• Time-of-flight rejection eliminates remaining stray light component
Intensifier fast
Stray light mitigation testing in vacuum gate
1.2x106
Data
1.0 Bkgd Chan
Scattering
Dark-subtracted counts

0.8

0.6

0.4 Reflection
0.2

0.0

-20 -10 0 10 20
Collection Time w.r.t. Laser Fire (ns)
D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016
 Background light observed when photocathode voltage is off
ICCD image intensifier schematic

• Image intensifiers comprise:

– Photocathode ph à e-
– Micro-channel plate (MCP) e- à many e-
– Phosphor e- à ph

• ICCD fast-gating switches the photocathode voltage

• During operations anomalous background levels observed Phosphor

• During calibration, image intensifier leakage confirmed

Leakage increases with source intensity
– Continuous, calibrated source used
– Intensities similar to plasma operations

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Intensifier schematic from Andor iStar ICCD User Manual
 Background light observed when photocathode voltage is off
ICCD image intensifier schematic
Applied voltage
• Image intensifiers comprise:
– Photocathode ph à e-
– Micro-channel plate (MCP) e- à many e-
– Phosphor e- à ph

• ICCD fast-gating switches the photocathode voltage

• During operations anomalous background levels observed Phosphor

• During calibration, image intensifier leakage confirmed

Leakage increases with source intensity
– Continuous, calibrated source used
– Intensities similar to plasma operations

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

Intensifier schematic from Andor iStar ICCD User Manual
High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

• Need: fast (< 1 ms), high transmission shutter

– Hard to find! (any ideas?…)

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

• Need: fast (< 1 ms), high transmission shutter

– Hard to find! (any ideas?…)

• Solution: Adapt a hard drive read-arm for optical

shuttering1

• Implementation:
– Place in front of spectrometer’s entrance slit

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1R.E. Scholten, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 026101 (2007)
High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

• Need: fast (< 1 ms), high transmission shutter

– Hard to find! (any ideas?…)

• Solution: Adapt a hard drive read-arm for optical

shuttering1

• Implementation:
– Place in front of spectrometer’s entrance slit

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1R.E. Scholten, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 026101 (2007)
High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

• Need: fast (< 1 ms), high transmission shutter

– Hard to find! (any ideas?…)

• Solution: Adapt a hard drive read-arm for optical

shuttering1

• Implementation:
– Place in front of spectrometer’s entrance slit
– Open time and jitter characterized
– Integrate into tightly-timed Thomson fire sequence

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1R.E. Scholten, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 026101 (2007)
High speed, high transmission shutter developed to block leakage
• CCD readout time long (~ms) compared to
collection gate (~ns)
– Initially used irising shutter in front of camera
– 13 ms closed-open-closed time

• Need: fast (< 1 ms), high transmission shutter

– Hard to find! (any ideas?…)

• Solution: Adapt a hard drive read-arm for optical

shuttering1

• Implementation:
– Place in front of spectrometer’s entrance slit
– Open time and jitter characterized
– Integrate into tightly-timed Thomson fire sequence

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1R.E. Scholten, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 026101 (2007)
Fast shuttering dramatically reduces background light collected

Sample Thomson spectra with and without shutters

80

Counts x10 (DU)

• Observe typical Pegasus plasmas No fast shutter
DATA (Ch 4)
BKGD (Ch 6)
60
– Repeat measurement to gather statistics

3
40
20
0
Avg DkFlats of: 81781;

• Process data and average results

81782;81783;81784;81785;

530 540 550 560 570 580

Wavelength (nm)

80

Counts x10 (DU)

DATA (Ch 4)
• Repeat using fast shutter With fast shutter BKGD (Ch 6)
60

3
– Identical diagnostic settings (gain, etc) 40
– Different location for helicity injectors
20
0
Avg DkFlats of: 84842;84843;84844;84852;84855;
84857;84859;84861;84863;84864;84866;84867;

530 540 550 560 570 580

Wavelength (nm)

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Initial results: L-mode plasmas used to prove diagnostic
operation
• Observe typical Pegasus L-mode plasmas
– Ip ~ 170 kA, 〈ne〉 ~ 1.5 × 1019 m-3

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Initial results: L-mode plasmas used to prove diagnostic
operation
• Observe typical Pegasus L-mode plasmas
– Ip ~ 170 kA, 〈ne〉 ~ 1.5 × 1019 m-3

• Data averaged over spatial points and

multiple shots

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Initial results: L-mode plasmas used to prove diagnostic
operation
• Observe typical Pegasus L-mode plasmas
– Ip ~ 170 kA, 〈ne〉 ~ 1.5 × 1019 m-3

• Data averaged over spatial points and

multiple shots

• First data1: high quality spectrum for 10 shot,

4 spatial location average
– Initial measurements made before optimization

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1 D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
 Initial results: L-mode plasmas used to prove diagnostic
operation
• Observe typical Pegasus L-mode plasmas
– Ip ~ 170 kA, 〈ne〉 ~ 1.5 × 1019 m-3

• Data averaged over spatial points and

multiple shots

• First data1: high quality spectrum for 10 shot,

4 spatial location average
– Initial measurements made before optimization

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 1 D.J. Schlossberg, J. Instrumentation, 8, 11, C11019 (2013).
Pegasus LHI plasmas present unique measurement challenges

Local Helicity Injection (LHI) drives ~200 kA

start-up plasmas non-solenoidally:
• Large MHD, strong magnetic reconnection events

• High background levels with injectors

• Magnetic field stochasticization

– Effects on Te profiles

• Strong heating and current source in plasma edge

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)
Processed data shows clear Gaussian

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)
Processed data shows clear Gaussian

• Te profiles reveal dynamic evolution:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)

• Te profiles reveal dynamic evolution:

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)

• Te profiles reveal dynamic evolution:

– t = 22.2 ms: peaked core Te, cool injector region
plasma strongly coupled to outboard drive

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)

Injector
radius
• Te profiles reveal dynamic evolution:
– t = 22.2 ms: peaked core Te, cool injector region
plasma strongly coupled to outboard drive

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Initial results from LHI plasmas highlight dynamic Te evolution

• Plasma centroid evolves inward

– 3 injectors located on outboard side below midplane

• LHI plasmas typically lower density than Ohmic

– <ne> ~ 5 x 1018 m-3
– Ensemble average Thomson data to increase SNR
(prior to fast shutter implementation)

Injector
radius
• Te profiles reveal dynamic evolution:
– t = 22.2 ms: peaked core Te, cool injector region
plasma strongly coupled to outboard drive
– t = 24.2 ms: flattened Te(R), possible internal mode
plasma decoupled, decreased drive

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016 * D.J. Battaglia, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 225003 (2009)
 Using full complement of SNR enhancements,
single-shot Te(R,t) achievable
• Physics investigation of low-density startup phase of
LHI plasmas
– 〈ne〉 < 5 x 1018 m-3

• Processed data exhibits clear Gaussian for single-shot

measurements
– Good confidence in calculated temperatures

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Using full complement of SNR enhancements,
single-shot Te(R,t) achievable
• Physics investigation of low-density startup phase of
LHI plasmas
– 〈ne〉 < 5 x 1018 m-3

• Processed data exhibits clear Gaussian for single-shot

measurements
– Good confidence in calculated temperatures

• Te(Rmaj) increases rapidly

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 Using full complement of SNR enhancements,
single-shot Te(R,t) achievable
• Physics investigation of low-density startup phase of
LHI plasmas
– 〈ne〉 < 5 x 1018 m-3

• Processed data exhibits clear Gaussian for single-shot

measurements
– Good confidence in calculated temperatures

• Te(Rmaj) increases rapidly

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

 A novel, high-throughput, optimized Thomson diagnostic is
implemented on the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment
• Unique design features include:
– Time-of-flight stray light rejection
– Compact, cost-efficient spectrometers
– Built-in digitization on ICCDs
– Fast optical shuttering blocks background light

• Next steps:
– Exchange background channels for data channels
– Begin characterizing densities during LHI operations

D.J. Schlossberg, HTPD 2016

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