A5011039389- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Fusion materials and technologies
- Laser Design and Applications
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Pesticide Residue Analysis and Safety
- Nuclear physics research studies
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Nuclear reactor physics and engineering
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
Tri Alpha Energy (United States)
2018-2025
Stanford University
2013-2017
TAE Technologies' research is devoted to producing high temperature, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas by neutral-beam injection (NBI) and edge biasing/control. The newly constructed C-2W experimental device (also called 'Norman') the world's largest compact-toroid (CT) device, which has several key upgrades from preceding C-2U such as higher input power longer pulse duration of NBI system well installation inner divertors with upgraded electrode biasing systems....
TAE Technologies, Inc. (TAE) is pursuing an alternative approach to magnetically confined fusion, which relies on field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas composed of mostly energetic and well-confined particles by means a state-of-the-art tunable energy neutral-beam (NB) injector system. TAE's current experimental device, C-2W (also called 'Norman'), the world's largest compact-toroid device has made significant progress in FRC performance, producing record breaking, high temperature...
We report the use of cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) using two distributed feedback diode lasers near 777.2 and 844.6 nm for sensitive, time-resolved, in situ measurements excited-state populations atomic oxygen a shock tube. Here, 1% O2/Ar mixture was shock-heated to 5400-8000 K behind reflected waves. The combined low-finesse cavity, fast wavelength scanning lasers, an off-axis alignment enabled with 10 μs time response low cavity noise. CEAS gain factors 104 142 P35←S520...
Abstract TAE Technologies’ fifth-generation fusion device, C-2W (also called ‘Norman’), is the world’s largest compact-toroid device and has made significant progress in field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma performance. produces record breaking, macroscopically stable, high-temperature advanced beam-driven FRC plasmas, dominated by injected fast particles sustained steady state, which primarily limited neutral-beam (NB) pulse duration. The NB power supply system recently been upgraded...
A laser-based sensor was developed and deployed for in situ monitoring of the gas temperature plenum after arc heater before expansion nozzle 60 MW interaction heating facility at NASA Ames Research Center. Early measurements suggested cold air added to arc-heated control enthalpy not well mixed, modifications were made add a mixing volume between adding expansion. Measurements conducted this modification are presented. An external cavity diode laser wavelength scanned monitor population...
The formation of electronically excited atomic oxygen was studied behind reflected shock waves using cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy. Mixtures 1% O2-Ar were shock-heated to 5400-7500 K, and two distributed-feedback diode lasers near 777.2 844.6 nm used measure time-resolved populations oxygen's 5S° 3S° electronic states, respectively. Measurements compared with simulated population time histories obtained different kinetic models that accounted for thermal nonequilibrium effects: (1)...
A tunable diode laser sensor was designed for in situ monitoring of temperature the arc heater NASA Ames IHF arcjet facility (60 MW). An external cavity used to generate light at 777.2 nm and absorption monitor population electronically excited oxygen atoms an air plasma flow. Under assumption thermochemical equilibrium, time-resolved measurements were obtained on four lines-of-sight, which enabled evaluation uniformity column different operating conditions.
In TAE Technologies' C-2W experiment, electrode biasing is utilized for boundary control of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma embedded in magnetic mirror. Understanding the underlying physics associated with FRC rotation, stabilization, and heating crucial improving machine performance. Impurity ion rotation temperature are sensitive to effects, measurements these quantities can provide insight into important dynamics overall effectiveness system. To this end, charge-exchange...
In C-2W, an elevated impurity concentration can lead to significant degradation of plasma performance and energy losses through radiation. To gauge contamination from impurities, the effective ion charge (Zeff) be determined measurements bremsstrahlung continuum radiation over a small spectral range free line this end, diagnostic system including visible near-infrared detectors was deployed in C-2W measure time-dependent radial distributions Zeff. The is complemented by array survey...
A main ion charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (mChERS) diagnostic has been developed to measure the velocity and temperature of deuterium ions in C-2W (also called Norman) field-reversed configuration (FRC) device. modulated neutral beam (DNB) hydrogen with 40 keV full energy a nominal current 8.5 provides signal. The DNB can achieve fast modulation frequency up 10 kHz, rare attribute find on other fusion devices, which defines time resolution mChERS. Currently, mChERS simultaneous...
TAE Technologies's advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration device has a large fast-ion population, allowing for D-alpha (FIDA) studies. Development of FIDA spectrometer the new C-2W is underway. Previous measurements were combined with geometry to inform design [N. Bolte, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 11E520 (2016)]. Measured signal levels led purchase Phantom Miro 110 high-speed camera that will be paired Holospec f/1.8 spectrograph from Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. The utilizes custom...
In C-2W (also called "Norman") [1], beam-driven field reversed configuration plasmas embedded in a magnetic mirror are produced and sustained steady state. A multi-chord passive Doppler spectroscopy diagnostic provides line-integrated impurity emission measurements near the center plane of confinement vessel with fast time resolution. The high degree plasma non-uniformity across optical sightlines can preclude direct fitting measured spectra. To overcome this challenge, local profiles...
A prototype main-ion CHarge Exchange Recombination Spectroscopy (mCHERS) diagnostic is providing measurements of the (hydrogen or deuterium) temperature and velocity in C-2W field reversed configuration plasma using charge exchange Balmer-alpha emission at five different radial locations with 500 Hz frequency a per-pixel resolution 15 km/s. Measurement along entire radius enabled by neutral beam (DNB) that passes through center plasma, unlike larger diameter heating beams have impact...
The process of associating spectral peaks in emission radiation data with particular charge states specific elements is a common task the field plasma diagnostics both laboratory and astrophysical settings. Existing techniques for this purpose are often highly manual or can rely heavily on theoretical models assumptions parameters. We present numerical approach to largely automate process. combines statistics from experimental predictions transition strengths observed intensity order...