Plasma Diagnostics in Basic Plasma Physics Devices and Tokamaks: from Principles to Practice
PHYS-732 / 2 credits
Teacher(s): Furno Ivo, Labit Benoît, Reimerdes Holger
Language: English
Remark: Next time: Spring 2026 (Block course)
Frequency
Every 2 years
Summary
The programme will allow students to learn plasma diagnostics and data processing methods of modern fusion experiments and to bridge the gap between diagnostics theory and experimental practice.
Content
Introduction: students will be taught the basics of both TORPEX and TCV facilities. The lecture will be followed by a visit of the experimental installations.
Theory of magnetic probes: Rogowski-coil, Flux loop, Diamagnetic loop, Poloidal field probes, Non-axisymmetric measurements, Poloidal field probes, Saddle loops. Data analysis techniques: mode identification using MHD spectroscopy (spectrogram - autocorrelation), Cross-correlation, Toroidal mode decompostion/general least square fit/ Sparse spec, Singular Value Decomposition. Practicum: calibration of magnetic probes and measurements of transfer function, analysis of TCV data.
Theory of various types of electrostatic probes, including single, double, and triple probes, Katsumata, ball pen, emissive probes, Mach probes, energy analyzers, turbulent particle flux probes. Data analysis techniques: Fourier analysis, Higher order Fourier analysis, Statistical analysis, Conditional sampling. Practicum: measurements of time averaged quantities and fluctuations in TORPEX and TCV data using single, double and triple probes; measurements of fluctuations in TORPEX, including statistical properties (skewness, etc.) perpendicular wave number and particle flux.
Theory of plasma emission and fast imaging. CMOs/CCD cameras, fast framing cameras, streaked cameras; Image intensifiers; Gas-puffing systems. Data analysis techniques: Fourier based techniques (linear and higher-order techniques); space-based techniques (structure identification, etc.). Practicum: installation and use of the fast camera to image radially propagating blobs in TORPEX; determination of physical quantities such as blob speed and size; use of advanced data analysis techniques, such as conditional sampling and box-averaging. On TCV: data analysis of camera data.
In the programs
- Exam form: Written (session free)
- Subject examined: Plasma Diagnostics in Basic Plasma Physics Devices and Tokamaks: from Principles to Practice
- Lecture: 16 Hour(s)
- Exercises: 10 Hour(s)
- Practical work: 10 Hour(s)
- Type: optional