Diagnostic mirror concept development for use in the complex environment of a fusion reactor

• DOI: 10.18154/rwth-2016-08056
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Authors: A. Krimmer; Hans-Josef Allelein; U. Samm; L. Singheiser
• Keywords: diagnostic mirror design ; fusion ; ITER ; CXRS ; thermo-mechanical design ; elevated temperature vis dielectric coating; 7. Clean energy

RWTH Aachen University, Diss., 2016; Schriften des Forschungszentrums Jülich. Reihe Energie & Umwelt 341, x, 123 Seiten : Illustrationen, Diagramme(2016).<br/>Light-based diagnostic systems of fusion reactors require optical mirrors to channel light through the structures surrounding the plasma. With increasing plasma volume, power and plasma burn time, the environmental conditions grow more demanding and new requirements arise. In this dissertation, the design of optical mirrors inside the vacuum chamber of the prototype reactor ITER (Latin "the way") and future fusion power plants are investigated.Comparing the state of the art with the boundary conditions close to the fusion plasma, existing mirror designs and choices for the reflective surface are evaluated. For the design, it is not the individual boundary conditions that are critical, but rather, their combination and the resulting interactions. Drawing from the existing designs, possible realizations for central functionality are discussed. Included in the discussion are substrate choice, mounting, adjustment and thermal contacting as well as positioning of the mirror assembly compatible with hot cell maintenance.Building on the general discussion, mirror concepts for the charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) diagnostic system for the ITER plasma core are proposed and simulated. In addition, prototypes are manufactured and tested to assess critical aspects of the proposed design. Testing includes positioning by pins, manufacturing of a stainless steel substrate with fluid channels adapted to the mirror shape, and tests with an SiO$_2$/TiO$_2$ dielectric coating under selected ITER conditions.As a result of the work, the fusion reactor mirror design considerations given in the principal design discussion can be used as a basis for other diagnostic systems as well. In the case of the core CXRS mirror concept for ITER, the basic suitability was shown and critical topics were identified where additional work is necessary.<br/>Published by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Zentralbibliothek, Jülich<br/>