Validating and optimizing mismatch tolerance of Doppler backscattering measurements with the beam model (invited).

We use the beam model of Doppler backscattering (DBS), which was previously derived from beam tracing and the reciprocity theorem, to shed light on mismatch attenuation. This attenuation of the backscattered signal occurs when the wavevector of the probe beam's electric field is not in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. Correcting for this effect is important for determining the amplitude of the actual density fluctuations. Previous preliminary comparisons between the model and Mega-Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) plasmas were promising. In this work, we quantitatively account for this effect on DIII-D, a conventional tokamak. We compare the predicted and measured mismatch attenuation in various DIII-D, MAST, and MAST-U plasmas, showing that the beam model is applicable in a wide variety of situations. Finally, we performed a preliminary parameter sweep and found that the mismatch tolerance can be improved by optimizing the probe beam's width and curvature at launch. This is potentially a design consideration for new DBS systems.

A remote gain controlled and polarization angle tunable Doppler backward scattering reflectometer.

Remote control of the diagnostic systems is the basic requirement for the high performance plasma operation in a fusion device. This work presents the development of the remote control system for the multichannel Doppler backward scattering (DBS) reflectometers. It includes a remote controlled quasi-optical system and a remote intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier gain control system. The quasi-optical system contains a rotational polarizer, its polarization angle is tunable through a remote controlled motor, and it could combine the microwave beams with a wide frequency range into one focused beam. The remote IF gain control system utilizes the digital microcontroller (MCU) technique to regulate the signal amplitude for each signal channel. The gain parameters of amplifiers are adjustable, and the feedback of working status in the IF system will be sent to MCU in real time for safe operation. The gain parameters could be controlled either by the Ethernet remote way or directly through the local control interface on the system. Preliminary experimental results show the effectiveness of the remote controlled multichannel DBS system.

Stationary Zonal Flows during the Formation of the Edge Transport Barrier in the JET Tokamak.

High spatial resolution Doppler backscattering measurements in JET have enabled new insights into the development of the edge Er. We observe fine-scale spatial structures in the edge Er well with a wave number krρi≈0.4-0.8, consistent with stationary zonal flows, the characteristics of which vary with density. The zonal flow amplitude and wavelength both decrease with local collisionality, such that the zonal flow E×B shear increases. Above the minimum of the L-H transition power threshold dependence on density, the zonal flows are present during L mode and disappear following the H-mode transition, while below the minimum they are reduced below measurable amplitude during L mode, before the L-H transition.

Observation of a critical gradient threshold for electron temperature fluctuations in the DIII-D Tokamak.

A critical gradient threshold has been observed for the first time in a systematic, controlled experiment for a locally measured turbulent quantity in the core of a confined high-temperature plasma. In an experiment in the DIII-D tokamak where L(T(e))(-1) = |∇T(e)|/T(e) and toroidal rotation were varied, long wavelength (k(θ)ρ(s) ≲ 0.4) electron temperature fluctuations exhibit a threshold in L(T(e))(-1): below, they change little; above, they steadily increase. The increase in δT(e)/T(e) is concurrent with increased electron heat flux and transport stiffness. Observations were insensitive to rotation. Accumulated evidence strongly enforces the identification of the experimentally observed threshold with ∇T(e)-driven trapped electron mode turbulence.

2D full wave modeling for a synthetic Doppler backscattering diagnostic.

Doppler backscattering (DBS) is a plasma diagnostic used in tokamaks and other magnetic confinement devices to measure the fluctuation level of intermediate wavenumber (k(θ)ρ(s) ~ 1) density fluctuations and the lab frame propagation velocity of turbulence. Here, a synthetic DBS diagnostic is described, which has been used for comparisons between measurements in the DIII-D tokamak and predictions from nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. To estimate the wavenumber range to which a Gaussian beam would be sensitive, a ray tracing code and a 2D finite difference, time domain full wave code are used. Experimental density profiles and magnetic geometry are used along with the experimental antenna and beam characteristics. An example of the effect of the synthetic diagnostic on the output of a nonlinear gyrokinetic simulation is presented.

Role of zonal flow predator-prey oscillations in triggering the transition to H-mode confinement.

Direct evidence of zonal flow (ZF) predator-prey oscillations and the synergistic roles of ZF- and equilibrium E×B flow shear in triggering the low- to high-confinement (L- to H-mode) transition in the DIII-D tokamak is presented. Periodic turbulence suppression is first observed in a narrow layer at and just inside the separatrix when the shearing rate transiently exceeds the turbulence decorrelation rate. The final transition to H mode with sustained turbulence and transport reduction is controlled by equilibrium E×B shear due to the increasing ion pressure gradient.

A novel, multichannel, comb-frequency Doppler backscatter system.

Doppler backscattering has emerged in recent years as a powerful diagnostic tool in high temperature fusion plasmas. The technique is sensitive to plasma turbulence flow and has been utilized to determine radial electric field and to study geodesic acoustic modes, zonal flows, and intermediate scale density turbulence. The current manuscript describes a novel technique for creating a stable, multichannel system covering the V-band frequency range (50-75 GHz) which enables simultaneous monitoring of turbulent flows and fluctuation levels at eight distinct spatial locations. The system is based on a high-frequency, low phase noise comb-frequency generator combined with a filter bank and quadrature detection system. The system is now in operation on DIII-D and has allowed monitoring of the flow and turbulence levels across the plasma radius during events such as the L-H transition.

New plasma measurements with a multichannel millimeter-wave fluctuation diagnostic system in the DIII-D tokamak (invited).

A novel multichannel, tunable Doppler backscattering (DBS)/reflectometry system has recently been developed and applied to a variety of DIII-D plasmas. Either DBS or reflectometry can be easily configured for use in a wide range of plasma conditions using a flexible quasi-optical antenna system. The multiple closely spaced channels, when combined with other fluctuation diagnostic systems, have opened up new measurements of plasma properties. For example, the toroidal and fine-scale radial structure of coherent plasma oscillations, such as geodesic acoustic modes, have been probed simultaneously in the core of high temperature plasmas by applying correlation analysis between two toroidally separated DBS systems, as well as within the multichannel array. When configured as a reflectometer, cross-correlation with electron cyclotron emission radiometry has uncovered detailed information regarding the crossphase relationship between density and temperature fluctuations. The density-temperature crossphase measurement yields insight into the physics of tokamak turbulence at a fundamental level that can be directly compared with predictions from nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations.

Quasioptical design of integrated Doppler backscattering and correlation electron cyclotron emission systems on the DIII-D tokamak.

The quasioptical design of a new integrated Doppler backscattering (DBS) and correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) system is presented. The design provides for simultaneous measurements of intermediate wavenumber density and long wavelength electron temperature turbulence behavior. The Doppler backscattering technique is sensitive to plasma turbulence flow and has been utilized to determine radial electric field, geodesic acoustic modes, zonal flows, and intermediate scale (k∼1-6 cm(-1)) density turbulence. The correlation ECE system measures a second turbulent field, electron temperature fluctuations, and is sensitive to long poloidal wavelength (k≤1.8 cm(-1)). The integrated system utilizes a newly installed in-vessel focusing mirror that produces a beam waist diameter of 3.5-5 cm in the plasma depending on the frequency. A single antenna (i.e., monostatic operation) is used for both launch and receive. The DBS wavenumber is selected via an adjustable launch angle and variable probing frequency. Due to the unique system design both positive and negative wavenumbers can be obtained, with a range of low to intermediate wavenumbers possible (approximately -3 to 10 cm(-1)). A unique feature of the design is the ability to place the DBS and CECE measurements at the same radial and poloidal locations allowing for cross correlation studies (e.g., measurement of nT cross-phase).

A multichannel, frequency-modulated, tunable Doppler backscattering and reflectometry system.

A novel multichannel Doppler backscattering system has been designed and tested for application on the DIII-D [J. L. Luxon, Fusion Sci. Technol. 48, 828 (2005)] and National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) [M. Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)] fusion plasma devices. Doppler backscattering measures localized intermediate wavenumber (k(perpendicular)rho(i) approximately 1-4,k(perpendicular) approximately 2-15 cm(-1)) density fluctuations and the propagation velocity of turbulent structures. Microwave radiation is launched at a frequency that approaches a cutoff layer in the plasma and at an angle that is oblique to the cutoff layer. Bragg backscattering occurs near the cutoff layer for fluctuations with k(perpendicular) approximately -2k(i), where k(i) is the incident probe wave vector at the scattering location. The turbulence propagation velocity can be determined from the Doppler shift in the return signal together with knowledge of the scattering wavenumber. Ray tracing simulations are used to determine k(perpendicular) and the scattering location. Frequency modulation of a voltage-controlled solid state microwave source followed by frequency multiplication is used to create an array of finely spaced (Delta f=350 MHz) frequencies spanning 1.4 GHz. The center of the array bandwidth is tunable within the range of approximately 53-78 GHz. This article details the system design, laboratory tests, and presents initial data from DIII-D plasmas.

Defective jejunal and colonic salt absorption and alteredNa(+)/H (+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) activity in NHE regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) adaptor protein-deficient mice.

We investigated the role of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) on intestinal salt and water absorption, brush border membrane (BBM) morphology, and on the NHE3 mRNA expression, protein abundance, and transport activity in the murine intestine. NHERF1-deficient mice displayed reduced jejunal fluid absorption in vivo, as well as an attenuated in vitro Na(+) absorption in isolated jejunal and colonic, but not of ileal, mucosa. However, cAMP-mediated inhibition of both parameters remained intact. Acid-activated NHE3 transport rate was reduced in surface colonocytes, while its inhibition by cAMP and cGMP was normal. Immunodetection of NHE3 revealed normal NHE3 localization in the BBM of NHERF1 null mice, but NHE3 abundance, as measured by Western blot, was significantly reduced in isolated BBM from the small and large intestines. Furthermore, the microvilli in the proximal colon, but not in the small intestine, were significantly shorter in NHERF1 null mice. Additional knockout of PDZK1 (NHERF3), another member of the NHERF family of adaptor proteins, which binds to both NHE3 and NHERF1, further reduced basal NHE3 activity and caused complete loss of cAMP-mediated NHE3 inhibition. An activator of the exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) had no effect on jejunal fluid absorption in vivo, but slightly inhibited NHE3 activity in surface colonocytes in vitro. In conclusion, NHERF1 has segment-specific effects on intestinal salt absorption, NHE3 transport rates, and NHE3 membrane abundance without affecting mRNA levels. However, unlike PDZK1, NHERF1 is not required for NHE3 regulation by cyclic nucleotides.

Detection of zonal flow spectra in DIII-D by a dual-channel Doppler backscattering system.

Doppler backscattering (DBS) has been successfully used to measure the E x B flow velocity and local intermediate wavenumber density fluctuation levels in the DIII-D tokamak. Depending on the launch angle and the frequency of the probing beam, the signal backscattered from the plasma cut-off layer is sensitive to density fluctuations at a specific perpendicular wavenumber (1 < or = k(perpendicular rho(s)) < or = 4). Due to the localization and high time resolution for poloidal flow measurements, DBS is well suited to detect stationary and time-dependent shear flows [zonal flows (ZFs)]. We present a novel scheme to measure ZF spectra using a dual-channel DBS system capable of simultaneously probing two minor radii separated by a distance of 0.2 cm < Delta r < 3 cm. Frequency spectra of geodesic acoustic modes and low frequency ZFs (f or = 10 kHz) have been obtained for 0.6 < r/a < 0.95.

A correlation electron cyclotron emission diagnostic and the importance of multifield fluctuation measurements for testing nonlinear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations.

A correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) diagnostic has been used to measure local, turbulent fluctuations of the electron temperature in the core of DIII-D plasmas. This paper describes the hardware and testing of the CECE diagnostic and highlights the importance of measurements of multifield fluctuation profiles for the testing and validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic codes. The process of testing and validating such codes is critical for extrapolation to next-step fusion devices. For the first time, the radial profiles of electron temperature and density fluctuations are compared to nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. The CECE diagnostic at DIII-D uses correlation radiometry to measure the rms amplitude and spectrum of the electron temperature fluctuations. Gaussian optics are used to produce a poloidal spot size with w(o) approximately 1.75 cm in the plasma. The intermediate frequency filters and the natural linewidth of the EC emission determine the radial resolution of the CECE diagnostic, which can be less than 1 cm. Wavenumbers resolved by the CECE diagnostic are k(theta) < or = 1.8 cm(-1) and k(r) < or = 4 cm(-1), relevant for studies of long-wavelength turbulence associated with the trapped electron mode and the ion temperature gradient mode. In neutral beam heated L-mode plasmas, core electron temperature fluctuations in the region 0.5 < r/a < 0.9, increase with radius from approximately 0.5% to approximately 2%, similar to density fluctuations that are measured simultaneously with beam emission spectroscopy. After incorporating "synthetic diagnostics" to effectively filter the code output, the simulations reproduce the characteristics of the turbulence and transport at one radial location r/a = 0.5, but not at a second location, r/a = 0.75. These results illustrate that measurements of the profiles of multiple fluctuating fields can provide a significant constraint on the turbulence models employed by the code.