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Here we present the design of the fast-ion collective Thomson scattering receiver for millimeter wave radiation installed at ASDEX Upgrade, a tokamak for fusion plasma experiments. The receiver can detect spectral power densities of a few eV against the electron cyclotron emission background on the order of 100 eV under presence of gyrotron stray radiation that is several orders of magnitude stronger than the signal to be detected. The receiver down converts the frequencies of scattered radiation (100-110 GHz) to intermediate frequencies (IF) (4.5-14.5 GHz) by heterodyning. The IF signal is divided into 50 IF channels tightly spaced in frequency space. The channels are terminated by square-law detector diodes that convert the signal power into DC voltages. We present measurements of the transmission characteristics and performance of the main receiver components operating at mm-wave frequencies (notch, bandpass, and lowpass filters, a voltage-controlled variable attenuator, and an isolator), the down-converter unit, and the IF components (amplifiers, bandpass filters, and detector diodes). Furthermore, we determine the performance of the receiver as a unit through spectral response measurements and find reasonable agreement with the expectation based on the individual component measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the development and first results of a receiver system for the collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic at TEXTOR with frequency resolution in the megahertz range or better. The improved frequency resolution expands the diagnostic range and utility of CTS measurements in general and is a prerequisite for measurements of ion Bernstein wave signatures in CTS spectra. The first results from the new acquisition system are shown to be consistent with theory and with simultaneous measurements by the standard receiver system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High resolution frequency measurements of the 110 GHz gyrotron at TEXTOR and the 105 GHz mode of the two-frequency gyrotron (Odissey-1) at ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) have been made in support of fast ion collective Thomson scattering diagnostics. Measurements were done by harmonic heterodyne methods using both fast Fourier transform spectroscopy with digital oscilloscopes and fast scanning spectrum analyzers. Accurate frequencies were obtained with a frequency counter. At TEXTOR, at 180 kW forward power the starting frequency was 109.970±0.005 GHz and chirped down as much as 27 MHz depending on the duty factor. At AUG, at 500 kW forward power the frequency started at 104.786 GHz and chirped down 104 MHz, with 90% of the chirp occurring in the first 100 ms. Plasma perturbation of the TEXTOR gyrotron was observed when both ion cyclotron resonance heating antennas and neutral beam injection were operating, producing modulation at 29 and 58 MHz in the gyrotron output. Each gyrotron was observed to have an instrumental measurement limited linewidth of 120 kHz full width at half maximum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physics feasibility study [H. Bindslev et al., ITER Report Contract No. EFDA 01.654, 2003, www.risoe.dk/euratom/CTS/ITER] concludes that the frequency option below the electron cyclotron resonance was the only system capable of meeting the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) measurement requirements for the fusion alphas, with present or near term technology. This article presents the design of the collective Thomson scattering diagnostic for ITER at the 60 GHz range. The system is capable of measuring the fast ion distribution parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field at different radial locations simultaneously. The design is robust technologically with no moveable components near the plasma. The article includes the upgrade requirements to provide temporally and spatially resolved measurements of the fuel ion ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report on a study of the feasibility of measuring the fast ion phase space distribution in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) by collective Thomson scattering (CTS). The study covers the full range of potential probe frequencies from gyrotron based millimeter waves to the infrared of the CO2 laser. It is assessed whether the systems can meet the ITER measurement requirements and which technological developments may be required. The relative merits of the systems are compared. The study reveals that a CTS system based on a 60 GHz probe has the highest diagnostic potential, and is the only system expected to be able to meet all the ITER fast ion measurement requirements with existing or near term technology. With modest additions this system may also provide measurements of the fuel ion ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]