3D fluid model analysis on the generation of negative hydrogen ions for negative ion source of NBI

A radio-frequency(RF) inductively coupled negative hydrogen ion source(NHIS) has been adopted in the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor(CFETR) to generate negative hydrogen ions.By incorporating the level-lumping method into a three-dimensional fluid model,the volume production and transportation of H^(-) in the NHIS,which consists of a cylindrical driver region and a rectangular expansion chamber,are investigated self-consistently at a large input power(40 k W) and different pressures(0.3–2.0 Pa).The results indicate that with the increase of pressure,the H^(-) density at the bottom of the expansion region first increases and then decreases.In addition,the effect of the magnetic filter is examined.It is noteworthy that a significant increase in the H^(-) density is observed when the magnetic filter is introduced.As the permanent magnets move towards the driver region,the H^(-) density decreases monotonically and the asymmetry is enhanced.This study contributes to the understanding of H-distribution under various conditions and facilitates the optimization of volume production of negative hydrogen ions in the NHIS.

Experimental results of a magnetic field modification to the radio frequency driver of a negative ion source

A magnetic field produced by a current flowing through the plasma grid(PG) is one of the solutions to reduce the collisional loss of negative ions in a negative ion source, which reduces the electron temperature in front of the PG. However, the magnetic field diffused into the driver has some influence on the plasma outflowing. In order to investigate the effect of changing this magnetic field on the outflowing of plasma from the driver, a circular ring(absorber) of high permeability iron has been introduced at the driver exit, which can reduce the magnetic field around it and improve plasma outflowing. With the application of the absorber, the electron density is increased by about 35%, and the extraction current measured from the extraction grid is increased from 1.02 A to 1.29 A. The results of the extraction experiment with cesium injection show that both the extraction grid(EG) current and H-current are increased when the absorber is introduced.

Synchronous Output Control System of Two Megawatt Hot Cathode Bucket Ion Sources for NBI

Synchronous output of one beam line＇s two megawatt hot cathode bucket ion sources is required when Neutral Beam Injector （NBI） works on the Experimental Advanced Supercon- ducting Tokamak （EAST）. Neutral Beam Injector Control System （NBICS） realizes synchronous output and asynchronous output of two ion sources with network communication and hardware triggers. And the synchronous time can be set by operator. In synchronous mode, two megawatt hot cathode bucket ion sources can produce neutral beams at any relative time with higher energy than two sources＇ asynchronous output. Two megawatt hot cathode bucket ion sources＇ synchronous output makes an important contribution to NBI system of 4-8 MW with 10-100 s pulse length and provides more and better parameters for EAST physical experiments.

Design of the Prototype Negative Ion Source for Neutral Beam Injector at ASIPP

In order to support the design, manufacture and commissioning of the negative- ion-based neutral beam injection （NBI） system for the Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor （CFETR）, the Hefei utility negative ion test equipment with RF source （HUNTER） was proposed at ASIPP. A prototype negative ion source will be developed at first. The main bodies of plasma source and accelerator of the prototype negative ion source are similar to that of the ion source for EAST-NBI. But instead of the filament-arc driver, an RF driver is adopted for the prototype negative ion source to fulfill the requirement of long pulse operation. A cesium seeding system and a magnetic filter are added for enhancing the negative ion density near the plasma grid and minimizing co-extracted electrons. Besides, an ITER-like extraction system is applied inside the accelerator, where the negative ion beam is extracted and accelerated up to 50 kV.

Preliminary results of optical emission spectroscopy by line ratio method in the RF negative ion source at ASIPP

Optical emission spectroscopy(OES)using the trace rare gases of Ar and Xe have been carried out in a radio frequency(RF)driven negative ion source at Institute of Plasma Physics,Chinese Academy of Science(ASIPP),in order to determine the electron temperature and density of the hydrogen plasma.The line-ratio methods based on population models are applied to describe the radiation process of the excited state particles and establish their relations with the plasma parameters.The spectral lines from the argon and xenon excited state atoms with the wavelength of 750.4 and 828.0 nm are used to calculate the electron temperature based on the corona model.The argon ions emission lines with the wavelength of 480 and 488 nm are selected to calculate the electron density based on the collisional radiative model.OES has given the preliminary results of the electron temperature and density by varying the discharge gas pressure and RF power.According to the experimental results,the typical plasma parameters isTe2≈2-4 eV and ne≈1 x 1017-8 x 1017 m^-3 in front of plasma grid.

Electric Potential in Surface Produced Negative Ion Source with Magnetic Field Increasing Toward a Wall

Electric potential near a wall for plasma with the surface produced negative ions with magnetic field increasing toward a wall is investigated analytically. The potential profile is derived analytically by using a plasma-sheath equation, where negative ions produced on the plasma grid （PG） surface are considered in addition to positive ions and electrons. The potential profile depends on the amount and the temperature of the surface produced negative ions and the profile of the magnetic field. The negative potential peak is formed in the sheath region near the PG surface for the case of strong surface production of negative ions or low temperature negative ions. As the increase rate of the magnetic field near the wall becomes large, the negative potential peak becomes small.

Characteristics of the pressure profile in the accelerator on the RF negative ion source at ASIPP

Neutral beam injection(NBI)systems based on negative hydrogen ion sources-rather than the positive ion sources that have typically been used to date-will be used in the future magnetically confined nuclear fusion experiments to heat the plasma.The collisions between the fast negative ions and neutral background gas result in a significant number of high-energy positive ions being produced in the acceleration area,and for the high-power long-pulse operation of NBI systems,this acceleration of positive ions back to the ion source creates heat load and material sputtering on the source backplate.This difficulty cannot be ignored,with the neutral gas density in the acceleration region having a significant impact on the flux density of the backstreaming positive ions.In the work reported here,the pressure gradient in the acceleration region was estimated using an ionization gauge and a straightforward 1D computation,and it was found that once gas traveled through the acceleration region,the pressure dropped by nearly one order of magnitude,with the largest pressure drop occurring at the plasma grid.The computation also revealed that the pressure drop in the grid gaps was substantially smaller than that in the grid apertures.

Development of Powerful RF Plasma Sources for Present and Future NBI Systems

This paper deals with the topic of RF plasma sources and their application inhigh-power neutral beam heating systems for nuclear fusion devices. RF sources represent aninteresting alternative to the conventional arc discharge sources. Due to the absence of hotfilaments they exhibit an inherent simplicity both in mechanical and electrical aspects andconsequently offer advantages in terms of cost savings, gain in availability and reliability andreduced maintenance. This renders the RF plasma source attractive for any long pulse (> 10 sec) NBIsystem and in particular for the ITER NBI system. The latter, however, requires that the RF plasmasource is also capable of delivering negative rather than positive hydrogen ions. In the first partof the paper the types, characteristics and operation experience of RF plasma sources for positiveions in operation are described. The second part is devoted to the development for ITER NBI: thebasic requirements, physics and technology issues and the present status are discussed.

HL-2M装置NBI加热系统规划及束线研究进展

为满足HL-2M装置高约束模式及高参数实验需求,HL-2M装置规划3条中性束注入(NBI)加热束线,NBI加热功率为15MW。第1和第2条束线是基于正离子源的NBI加热束线,根据中后期高参数实验状态确定第3条束线采用正离子源或者负离子源。本文简要介绍了HL-2M装置的加热束线布局和系统设计概念,综述了基于4套80k V/45A/5s离子源的5MW-NBI中性束加热束线的设计参数及研制进展。在物理和工程可行性简要分析基础上,给出了采用2套200kV/12.5A/10s热阴极负离子源的2.5MW-NBI束线的概念设计、工程设计及技术研究进展。

大面积NBI射频离子源电气参数设计分析

为探究射频离子源驱动器线圈电气参数对射频放电的影响,主要进行了射频离子源等离子体激发的物理分析,并计算了射频电源的频率选择与线圈放电电流、线圈匝间电压以及放电气压之间的关系,设计了射频离子源驱动器的主要参数。研制的射频离子源驱动器装置,成功获得氢等离子体射频放电。实验结果和理论计算结果符合很好。

NBI离子源源头电源控制系统研究与设计

中性束注入(NBI)加热被国际聚变界公认为最有效的加热手段,其离子源源头电源控制系统的研制是中性束注入器的关键技术之一。通过研究高电压、高磁场环境对控制系统的影响,综合系统灵活性、易维护性、稳定性等诸方面因素设计了离子源源头电源控制系统,并开发了上位机监控程序、PLC程序和相关的硬件接口电路以及现场模糊控制系统。离子源源头电源控制系统为用户提供了良好的人机操作界面,经在测试平台的离子源起弧实验证明,有效地提高了NBI离子源放电实验的效率,为今后的NBI束线装置工程设计和研制奠定了基础。

NBI双潘宁离子源参数的静电探针测量

介绍了静电探针在22cm双潘宁离子源中心等离子体参数测量中的应用。测出了探针的伏安特性曲线,由该曲线求出在弧流为200 A时,电子温度约为6.0 eV,密度约为2×1012cm-3,这对于调整放电控制条件,获得高效率大功率的离子源有重要的参考价值,并且对于今后实现强而且均匀的中性束束流的引出也有着重要意义。

基于神经网络的EAST-NBI实验数据分析系统研究

NBI离子源的运行参数不匹配会导致离子源中的等离子体不稳定,并可能导致离子源打火,从而限制了NBI长脉冲和高功率的运行。为了稳定NBI离子源中的等离子体,使用来自多轮实验的数据以及从预测性等离子体模型获得的先验信息,针对现有的实验数据值提取算法精度不高的问题,采用OPTICS聚类算法提高了实验数据提取的准确性,为实验操作过程中的故障分析提供参考。同时采用了一种基于自组织特征映射图(SOM)和逆向传播(BP)神经网络的方法,通过训练历史数据,在给定参数下估算NBI离子源束引出过程中的脉冲宽度,以调整运行参数。

An Atomic Oxygen Device Based on PIG Oxygen Negative Ion Source

It is an important research subject for the spaceflight countries to conduct equivalent simulation of 5eV atomic oxygen effects for the spaceflight material in low earth orbit.This paper introduces an apparatus used for producing atomic oxygen,which consists of a PIG ion source with permanent magnet,two electrodes extraction system, an electron deflector,an einzel lens,an ion decelerating electrode and a sample bracket.At present it has been used on the small debris accelerator in the Center for Space Science and Applied Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the producing experiments of O^- are carried out.200—300μA of O^- ions are extracted at the extraction voltage of 2—3kV.The experiments for decelerating of O^- ions and erosion of kapton foil are carried out also.Because of the target room used for both the atomic oxygen device and the small debris accelerator,the facility can be used for small debris impinging and atomic erosion for spaceflight materials simultaneouslly.

Hefei utility negative ions test equipment with RF source:commissioning and first results

In order to study the key technology and physics of RF driven negative ion source for neutral beam injector in China, the Hefei utility negative ions test equipment with RF source was developed at Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（ASIPP）. Its negative ion source can be equipped with single or double RF drivers. There is a plasma expansion chamber with depth of 19 mm and an enhanced filter field. A three electrodes negative ion accelerator was employed to extract and accelerate the negative ions, which are plasma grid,extraction grid and ground grid. And there are several diagnostic tools for the plasma and beam parameters measurement. The characteristics of plasma generation, negative ion production and extraction were studied on the test equipment. The negative ion beam was extracted from the RF driven negative ion source for the first time. The detailed structure and main results are presented in this article.

First results of negative ion extraction with Cs for CRAFT prototype negative beam source

In order to understand the physics and pre-study the engineering issues for radio frequency(RF)negative beam source,a prototype source with a single driver and three-electrode accelerator was developed.Recently,the beam source was tested on the RF source test facility with RF plasma generation,negative ion production and extraction.A magnetic filter system and a Cs injection system were employed to enhance the negative ion production.As a result,a long pulse of 105 s negative ion beam with current density of 153 A m-2 was repeatedly extracted successfully.The source pressure is 0.6 Pa and the ratio of co-extracted electron and negative ion current is around0.3.The details of design and experimental results of beam source were shown in this letter.

Influence of magnetic filter field on the radio-frequency negative hydrogen ion source of neutral beam injector for China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor

In the design of negative hydrogen ion sources,a magnetic filter field of tens of Gauss at the expansion region is essential to reduce the electron temperature,which usually results in a magnetic field of around 10 Gauss in the driver region,destabilizing the discharge.The magnetic shield technique is proposed in this work to reduce the magnetic field in the driver region and improve the discharge characteristics.In this paper,a three-dimensional fluid model is developed within COMSOL to study the influence of the magnetic shield on the generation and transport of plasmas in the negative hydrogen ion source.It is found that when the magnetic shield material is applied at the interface of the expansion region and the driver region,the electron density can be effectively increased.For instance,the maximum of the electron density is 6.7×10^(17)m^(-3)in the case without the magnetic shield,and the value increases to 9.4×10^(17)m^(-3)when the magnetic shield is introduced.

Numerical investigation of radio-frequency negative hydrogen ion sources by a three-dimensional fluid model

A three-dimensional fluid model is developed to investigate the radio-frequency inductively coupled H2 plasma in a reactor with a rectangular expansion chamber and a cylindrical driver chamber,for neutral beam injection system in CFETR.In this model,the electron effective collision frequency and the ion mobility at high E-fields are employed,for accurate simulation of discharges at low pressures(0.3 Pa-2 Pa)and high powers(40 kW-100 kW).The results indicate that when the high E-field ion mobility is taken into account,the electron density is about four times higher than the value in the low E-field case.In addition,the influences of the magnetic field,pressure and power on the electron density and electron temperature are demonstrated.It is found that the electron density and electron temperature in the xz-plane along permanent magnet side become much more asymmetric when magnetic field enhances.However,the plasma parameters in the yz-plane without permanent magnet side are symmetric no matter the magnetic field is applied or not.Besides,the maximum of the electron density first increases and then decreases with magnetic field,while the electron temperature at the bottom of the expansion region first decreases and then almost keeps constant.As the pressure increases from 0.3 Pa to 2 Pa,the electron density becomes higher,with the maximum moving upwards to the driver region,and the symmetry of the electron temperature in the xz-plane becomes much better.As power increases,the electron density rises,whereas the spatial distribution is similar.It can be summarized that the magnetic field and gas pressure have great influence on the symmetry of the plasma parameters,while the power only has little effect.

Progress of the RF negative hydrogen ion source for fusion at HUST

Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed an experimental setup of a radio frequency(RF) driven negative hydrogen ion source,to investigate the physics of production and extraction of the H^(-)ions for neutral beam injection in nuclear fusion reactors.The main design parameters of the ion source are:RF power ≤40 kW;extraction voltage ≤10kV;accelerator voltage ≤20 kV.This paper gives an overview of the progress of the ion source with particular emphasis on some issues.The RF driver and source plasma are analyzed and optimized in terms of impedance matching,plasma characteristics and power coupling.In regard to the simulation analysis,a plasma model based on the particle-in-cell method and a beam trajectory model considering beam stripping loss are developed to investigate the plasma and negative ions transport inside the ion source.Furthermore,a collisional radiative model of H and H2is built for plasma optical diagnosis.

The Development of a Megawatt-Level High Current Ion Source

Neutral beam injection is one of the main plasma heating methods in nuclear fusion devices. In order to support the scientific study of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak （EAST）, a megawatt-level high current ion source is designed and manufactured in the ASIPP, and the progress and preliminary test results will be presented in this paper.