National Plasma Fusion Research Facility Annual Report JULY-1999 TO JUNE-2000 Established and supported under the Australian Government’s Major National Research Facility Program
National Plasma FusionResearch Facility
Annual ReportJULY-1999 TO JUNE-2000
Established and supported under the Australian Government’s Major National Research Facility Program
National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����
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CONTENTS
The National Plasma Fusion Research Facility
Located at the Plasma Research Laboratory, Research School of Physical Sciences, The Australian National University.
Canberra, Australia.
http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/prl/H-1NF.html
Page No.
INTRODUCTION 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS 3
I RESEARCH 4
I.1 Energy from Fusion 4
I.2 Australian Fusion Research and the H-1 National Facility 8
I.3 H-1NF Research Activities 9
II AFRG COLLABORATIONS 15
III FACILITIY AWARENESS AND PROMOTION 16
IV COLLABORATION, EDUCATION AND TRAINING 18
IV.1 Collaborative Research 18
IV.2 Education and Training 18
V CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY 20
V.1 The MOSS Spectrometer 20
V.2 The Plasma Antenna 21
V.3 The WEDGE Virtual Reality Theatre 22
VI STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATION 23
VII LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 25
VIII GRANTS AND AWARDS 28
IX PROJECT PROGRESS VERSUS MILESTONES 29
X FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 30
List of Acronyms 34
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Introduction
For the last forty years, scientists and engineers around the
world have been working on using fusion reactions (like
those that power the Sun and stars) to generate electricity
(Fig1). Fusion offers the promise of generating bulk electricity
using readily available fuel—hydrogen isotopes—with low
emissions of Greenhouse gases and other pollutants. It is
also a multi-disciplinary “grand challenge” problem that
brings out the best in scientific research, technological
development and education. Development of fusion power
will spawn new industrial efforts in instrumentation and
control technologies and materials such as specialty metals.
The National Plasma Fusion Research Facility is being
developed on the base of the existing H-1NF heliac toroidal
stellarator experiment in the Research School of Physical
Sciences and Engineering in the Institute of Advanced Studies
at the Australian National University. The objectives of this
project are to provide:
• an experimental facility with which Australian scientists,
technologists and engineers can contribute to the world-
wide effort to develop fusion as a future source of
energy;
• opportunities for advanced research training for students
of science and technology;
• a platform for the development of novel technological
ideas that can be spun off for industrial use.
The development of the H-1 National Facility is supported
by an $8.7M grant over five years (1997-2001) from the
Department of Industry, Science and Resources. The Facility
is operated by the Australian Fusion Research Group (AFRG),
which acts under the auspices of the Australian Institute of
Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). The AFRG consists
of researchers in plasma physics and fusion from the
Australian National University, the University of Canberra,
the University of Sydney, the University of Western Sydney,
the University of New England, Central Queensland
University, and Flinders University of South Australia.
Collaborative activities undertaken by these researchers are
reported in section III. International collaborations include
those with scientists from Japan, the United States, and
Europe, and are elaborated on in Section V, Collaboration,
Education and Training.
Fig1. The Sun: An operating fusion reactor
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Executive Summary Highlights
The most important areas of physics research at the H-1NF are:
• the basic operational features of plasma energy confinement
in helical-axis stellarator plasmas with strong rotational
transform (high twist of the magnetic field lines);
• transitions to modes of improved energy confinement and
reduced turbulence;
• the role of strong radial electric fields in improving energy
confinement;
• the effects of finite plasma pressure on plasma equilibrium,
stability, turbulence, and confinement.
Since H-1NF will remain a flexible university-based experiment
with research goals aimed at physics understanding rather than the
pushing of parameters, it can be used for more adventurous
fundamental research than is possible on a very large device. This
agility has already allowed H-1NF researchers to study the physics
of improved plasma confinement at much lower power than would
be needed in a larger machine.
Fig2. Professor J.H. Harris, Director, H-1 NF
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I Research
I.1 Energy from fusion
In the intensely hot interior of stars (hundreds of millions of
degrees Celsius), atoms are broken down into their
component nuclei and electrons. This fluid-like state of
matter is called plasma. For most of its life, the star is powered
by energy-producing fusion reactions, in which light nuclei
like hydrogen combine to form heavier nuclei up to that of
iron. Some of the binding energy of the nucleus is emitted
in the form of energetic particles and electromagnetic
radiation. Elements even heavier than iron are formed by
additional fusion of larger nuclei (nuclear reactions or,
specifically, nuclear fusions) in the last stage of a star’s life
and injected into interstellar space. Thus, most of the energy
and matter that we see in everyday life passed through
naturally occurring fusion reactors – the stars.
Fuels for electricity production
About one-third of the world’s energy budget is consumed
in the form of electricity. Electricity generation is presently
the fastest growing component of energy use, increasing by
approximately 20% per decade overall, with 4 to 5 times
higher growth rates in industrialising countries in Asia. The
overall increase in world demand is equivalent to a 1000
MW power station coming on line every few days, or an
amount equal to all of Australia’s generation capacity in a
month.
The present breakdown of fuels used in electricity generation
is shown in Fig 3 for the world and in Fig 4 for Australia. At
present, about 70% of world electricity production comes
from burning solid fuel (mostly coal), natural gas, and oil. In
Australia, in 1997-98, 91% of the electricity was produced
using fossil fuels, and 85.7% came from burning coal. The
fraction of electricity produced by the burning of these fossil
fuels is actually increasing, as increases in demand are being
met principally by fossil fuel generators.
The world stock of fossil fuels is finite. As reserves of relatively
clean-burning oil and natural gas dwindle during the 21st
century, energy supplies will become more vulnerable to
disruption and price increases, with likely economic
consequences. Moreover, the emission of pollutants and
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide will increase with
the burning of more fossil fuel and have adverse effects on
Oil 1.2%
Hydro
3.0%Natural Gas
8.8%
Coal
87%
1997-98
Fig 3. Primary fuel consumption required to generate the
world’s electricity supply. Data for 1995 from International
Energy Agency, available at http://www.iea.org/.
Fig 4. Primary fuel consumption required to generate
Australia’s electricity supply. Data from Australian Energy
News, December, 1999.
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global climate and human health. Recent research in global
climate trends suggests a correlation between increasing
carbon dioxide concentrations from human activity (burning
carbon fuel, agriculture, etc.) and the Earth’s surface
temperatures (Fig 5). These effects are already measurable
and are expected to increase in the 21st century.
A number of initiatives in progress in Australia to increase
the amount of generation from renewable energy resources
(solar, wind, etc.) include the Federal Government’s initiative
of increasing renewable electricity generation by an
additional two per cent by 2010. Reforestation and emissions
trading can reduce the carbon impact and buy time. In the
long term, though, the development of new means of non-
emitting, large-scale bulk electricity generation represents
a major global challenge - a task for the new millenium.
Electricity from fusion
To produce power from fusion, it is necessary to achieve
conditions such that reactions like the deuterium-tritium (D-
T) reaction shown in Fig 6 occur. The energy emitted (as a
fast neutron in the case of D-T) can be captured and used
to drive a steam turbine generator.
The main advantage of a fusion power station is that it would
produce large amounts of electricity (a gigawatt or more)
using a plentiful fuel (hydrogen isotopes from water) with
negligible emissions, and a radioactivity hazard greatly
reduced from that of conventional nuclear fission reactors.
In the case of the D-T reaction, only the tritium is radioactive.
Tritium emits only low energy radiation and has a half-life
of about twelve years, compared to thousands of years for
some strongly radiating fission fuel components (uranium
and plutonium isotopes). The tritium can be produced inside
the fusion reactor itself by capturing the fast neutron from
the fusion reaction in a blanket material such as lithium.
Moreover, the amount of fuel contained at any one time in
Energy Multiplication
About 450:1
Alpha
Particle
Deuterium Tritium
Neutron
Fig 5. Variation of global average surface temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide from 1880 to the present. Data
from the New York Times, 29 February, 2000.
Fig 6. Deuterium-tritium fusion reaction, which requires
temperatures of about 100 million degrees C.
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the reacting volume of the core plasma reactor is sufficient
for about a minute of operation, as compared to a fission
reactor, whose core contains about a year’s worth of fuel.
This greatly reduces the store of potential energy that can
be involved in an accident.
Challenging scientific and engineering problems must be
solved to make a practical fusion reactor. The first task is to
duplicate the conditions that occur in stars. Stars work
because the gravity due to their large mass confines and
heats the plasma to such high temperatures that fusion
reactions occur. To confine and heat plasmas in a “bottle”
that could fit within a power plant on Earth requires the use
of either strong magnetic fields or enormous compression
(from huge laser or particle beams) to substitute for the
gravitational compression of stars.
Toroidal magnetic confinement machines, doughnut-shaped
vacuum chambers surrounded by magnetic coils (Fig 7), offer
the most promise as fusion reactors. Two decades of
experiments in the simplest type of toroidal system, the
tokamak, have produced steady progress in achieving plasma
parameters and understanding the physical processes
involved in confining the plasma particles and energy. Figure
8 shows a plot of the plasma density, temperature, and
energy confinement time achieved in experiments around
the world, compared with what is required for ignition of
energy producing fusion reactions. In the largest
experiments, the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) in the
United States and the Joint European Torus (JET) in the
United Kingdom, up to 16 MW of fusion power was
produced for approximately one second using a deuterium-
tritium gas mixture.
Despite the successes of this generation of fusion
experiments, an enormous amount of work remains to be
done in order to realise the useful generation of electric
power from fusion. The efficiency of the magnetic
confinement of plasma energy needs to be improved, both
in terms of the stability of the plasma column and reduction
of diffusive energy losses that limit the temperature. This is
necessary in order to reduce the size and
cost of fusion devices to such a degree that
they become commercially attractive. An
important variant of the toroidal
confinement scheme, the stellarator (Fig 9)
in which the toroidal plasma is twisted
helically, offers advantages in plasma control
and maintenance. Many of the new
generation of fusion experiments use
configurations from the stellarator family
(variously called advanced stellarators,
heliotrons, torsatrons, and heliacs). These
include the Large Helical Device (LHD) in
Japan, the H-1NF heliac in Australia, the TJ-
II heliac in Spain, and the Wendelstein 7-X
device which is under construction in
Germany. Table1 lists the principal world
stellarator experiments and some of their
parameters.
helical
field lines
toroidal magnetic field
poloidal
magnetic field
Lim
it of
Bre
mss
trahl
ung
Ignition
JET
JET
JT-60U
TFTRTFTR
TFTR
DIII-D
DIII-D
ASDEX
PLT
TFRTFR
T3
T10
PLT
ALC-A
TFTRFT
ALC-C JT-60
DIII-DJET
TFTR
JT-60U
Reactor Relevant Conditions
JET
JET
Central Ion Temperature Ti (M°C)
1 10 100 1000
Year
1994
1980
1970
1965
1000
100
10
1
0.1
Fusio
n P
roduct n
iτ E T
i(x10
20m
-3s.M
°C)
D-T Exp
Breakeven
Fig 7. Toroidal magnetic field geometry for fusion plasma
confinement.
Fig 8.Progress in fusion plasma parameters
since the first successful tokamak
experiments in 1970. (from Joint European
Torus Undertaking).
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Device Country Institution Operation date R(m) / a(m) Mag. field Heating(tesla) (MW)
LHD Japan Nat’l Institute forFusion Science 1998 3.9 / 0.6 4 ≥ 20
WVII-X Germany Max-Planck Institut fürPlasma Physik. 2006 5.5 / 0.5 3 ≥ 20
WVII-AS Germany Max-Planck Institut fürPlasma Physik. 1991 2.0 / 0.2 2.5 5
TJ-II Spain Nat’l Lab. MagneticConf. Fusion 1998 1.5 / 0.2 1.2 4
CHS Japan Nat’l Institute forFusion Science 1988 1.0 / 0.2 2 3
Heliotron-J Japan Kyoto University 1999 1.2 / 0.2 1.5 4
H-1NF Australia Austr. Nat’l Univ. 1992 1.0 / 0.2 0.2 0.1Aust. Fusion Res. Gr 1997 1 1
HSX USA Univ. of Wisconsin 1999 1.2 / 0.15 1.35 0.2
L-2 Russia General Phys. Inst. 1975 1.0 / 0.1 1.5 0.4
Table1. The principal world stellarator experiments and some of their parameters.
Fig 9. Cut-away diagram
of H-1NF stellarator. The
helically twisted plasma is
shown in pink, half the
toroidal magnetic coils in
grey, and the poloidal
magnetic coils in yellow and
blue.
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I.2 Australian Fusion Research andthe H-1 National Facility
Scientists in Australia have long been active in fusion
research, working on small university experiments and as
members of international teams on large experiments
overseas. The development of H-1NF offers Australian
researchers the opportunity to do experiments on a facility
that is large enough to produce hot plasmas with
temperatures of the order of 500 eV ~ 5 million degrees C.
Further Development of the H-1NF in 1999-2000
This year the H-1NF was operated for 103 days over 29
weeks, recording data for 4,600 shots. Of this,
approximately 3,100 shots over 67 days of operation were
plasma physics shots, the balance being power supply and
machine test shots. The new high-precision 12 Megawatt
magnet dual power supply was successfully tested into a
dummy load to full voltage (900 Volts) and full current
(14,000 Amps) individually. The power supply will ultimately
increase the magnetic field of the H-1NF device from its
original operating value of 0.2T to its design value of 1T. An
interactive but secure control interface was implemented
to allow operators to exploit the great flexibility of the
programmable power supplies. This allows a range of control
by operators with different levels of authorisation, so that
the facility can be used safely by a variety of operators. Tests
have demonstrated programmable constant or ramping
current into H-1NF up to 8,500A, with variations of a small
fraction of one ampére. This ensures highly accurate
magnetic geometry, avoids interference with measurement
systems, and minimises induction of current into this
inherently current-free plasma configuration. Reliability of
the motor-generator, an alternative low power source for
the magnet system, was enhanced by installation of new
switchgear and controls.
A secondary supply powers the control windings and allows
the plasma shape to be varied, under computer control,
over a much wider range than possible in conventional
stellarators or tokamaks, with the option of varying the
current during a plasma pulse. The connections between
these supplies and the five windings of the heliac are made
in a very flexible and convenient manner through a “patch
panel”. This system is capable of carrying 14,000A for two
seconds, and crucial configuration information including
total winding inductance, mutual inductance and resistance
is passed on to the power supply controller via computer.
This enables full exploitation of the wide range of magnetic
characteristics accessible to the H-1NF.
This ambitious and unique project, combining a power plant
similar to that powering a very fast train, with the precision
and flexibility of a laboratory instrument, was a product of
collaboration between H-1NF staff and a number of
Australian and International companies. These include:
Walsh & Associates, Consulting Engineers - Sydney, ABB-
Melbourne, Technocon AG - Switzerland; TMC Ltd -
Melbourne (transformer); CEGELEC - Sydney (AC-DC
converter); A-Force Switchboards - Sydney (14kA patch
panel) and HOLEC Engineering of Sydney (switchgear).
Plasma operation up to 0.5 Tesla was achieved this year,
enabling the first phase of high temperature plasma
operation in which the plasma is heated at the second
harmonic of the electron cyclotron resonance frequency.
Work on the 28GHz, 200kW electron cyclotron heating
system continued, as part of the collaboration with Kyoto
University and the Japanese National Institute for Fusion
Science (NIFS), with testing and enhancing the power
electronics, and installing the waveguide and the launching
system and associated vacuum window. Work on the ion
cyclotron range heating system included installation of DC
isolation components, and cabling with high power coaxial
cable to the launching port. The electron heating system is
now ready for first high-temperature plasma experiments.
A number of the sixteen additional vacuum ports installed
last year have been put to use, some for facility collaborators,
and others for enhanced diagnostic systems. Development
this year included the plasma density tomography system,
the optical vector tomography system, the electron cyclotron
heating system and the gas injection systems. Experiments
for facility users can be quickly connected, without vacuum
interruption, via the new gate valves if required. In late
1999 a soft X-ray camera has been installed in collaboration
with the University of Canberra, and the University of New
England fibre optic interferometer for heat flux and
deposition measurements has already been used in several
experiments. The modifications to the vessel featured the
welding of several large vacuum ports (up to 600mm) by
Cowan Engineering of Newcastle, NSW (Fig10) provided
excellent vacuum performance. The cryopump, which
allows rapid pumpdown after a vacuum break, was
remounted, and will be commissioned later in 2000.
As a result of infrastructure upgrades the Facility now has a
degree of redundancy in power, heating and vacuum
systems. This has allowed a higher level of availability this
year, and remaining upgrades to heating and launching
systems and bringing the machine up to full magnetic field,
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that is one Tesla, will result in only minor interruptions to
operation over the next two years.
A number of new plasma measurement systems have been
installed or commissioned. The Modulated Optical Solid
State (MOSS) camera has been operating routinely since
early 2000 and has produced a wealth of new information
pertaining to the H-1 plasma dynamics. After some early
difficulties, the tomographic MOSS (ToMOSS) spectroscopy
system is now fully installed and will be commissioned in
September 2000. A new multi-channel spectroscopy system
for measurement of electron temperature and plasma
fluctuations is also operational while a general survey
spectrometer completes the spectroscopic diagnostic suite.
The far-infrared scanning interferometer has been
extensively upgraded this year. The 2mm sweep-frequency
interferometer (a standard diagnostic) has been relocated
to allow toroidal cross-correlation with the FIR system
measurements. A ruby-laser-based Thomson scattering
system for electron temperature measurements is also
nearing completion. Dr. Peter Feng joined the group for
laser-induced fluorescence measurements of electric fields
in the H-1 plasma edge. His appointment is supported by a
Large ARC grant held jointly with the University of Sydney.
These, and other developments, are reported more fully
below.
II.3 H-1NF Research Activities
Research activities are summarised below under the program
headings as identified in the Facility Program. H-1NF
research staff engaged on development of the individual
projects are also identified in italics at the conclusion of
each project summary.
Turbulence, transport and the radial electric field
Fluctuations and the turbulence-driven particle and energy
transport are among the most important fundamental
challenges to overcome in the physics of the magnetic
confinement of plasmas. Instabilities and turbulence
contribute to the particle and energy loss across the magnetic
field in the H-1NF heliac as well as in other toroidal plasmas.
Sheared plasma flows appear to modify the turbulence,
though the details of this modification at the microscopic
level are not yet understood. This area is a principal subject
of fusion research around the world, and a deeper
understanding is essential to developing fusion reactors.
Fig10. Some of the new large vacuum ports on the side of H-1 NF
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Recent results from H-1NF indicate that shearing only the
flow of the electron fluid in the plasma, without any
significant mass (ion) flow being present, can modify the
turbulence-driven particle transport. This conclusion makes
the prospects of achieving efficient high confinement in
stellarators more optimistic. The high “magnetic viscosity”
of stellarator plasmas impedes the bulk plasma rotation, but
this does not seem to be a problem for turbulence reduction.
Another important result is that the sign of the flow shear
(radial derivative) in the radial electric field is crucial for the
way in which the turbulent transport is modified. It has been
shown that under certain conditions the particle flux can
even be radially reversed to improve the particle
confinement. Recently this new effect has been
experimentally reproduced in the CHS torsatron in the
course of joint ANU-NIFS experiments in Japan.
(M.G. Shats, W. Solomon, H. Punzmann, D.L. Rudakov and
J.H. Harris)
Electron-cyclotron-resonance heating (ECRH)
A high power microwave source - (gyrotron) - generating
200kW at 28GHz provided by Kyoto University and the
National Institute of Fusion Science in Japan (see Fig11 )
will be used in the H-1NF heliac for plasma production
and heating at higher magnetic fields (0.5 and 1.0T). The
microwave power is absorbed by the plasma electrons which
gyrate in the strong magnetic field in resonance with the
oscillating electric field produced by the gyrotron.
Among the advantages of this heating method is good spatial
localisation of the power deposition. The heating region can
also be easily and finely controlled by tuning the magnetic
field in H-1NF. This gives a number of new experimental
opportunities to study fundamental plasma effects, including
the electron transport in H-1NF and formation of the radial
electric field.
A microwave transmission line which connects the gyrotron
with the plasma and includes the mode converters,
transforms the circularly polarised microwave radiation of
the gyrotron into a linearly polarised Gaussian beam. The
beam then propagates quasi-optically inside a corrugated
waveguide. Two reflecting polarisers supplied by Kyoto
University, Japan, finely control the polarisation of the
microwave beam. The microwave beam is then launched
into the H-1NF vacuum tank and is focussed into the plasma
using in-vacuum quasi-optical mirrors. The transmission line
has been bench-tested and will shortly be commissioned in
a high-power test on the H-1NF heliac. (http://
rsphysse.anu.edu.au/~hop112/ECRH.htm)
A new ray tracing code has also been developed to study
the propagation, absorption and the power deposition
profiles during ECRH in H-1NF. First modelling results
indicate that a single pass absorption can reach up to 90%
of the launched power. The power deposition profiles are
narrow (less than 0.2 of the plasma radius). Expected plasma
parameters with ECRH at 0.5T are as follow: electron density
ne ≤ 1018 m-3; electron temperature T
e~ 500eV; and the
energy confinement time E ~ 3ms. (M.G. Shats, H.
Punzmann, K. Nagasaki and H.B. Smith)
H-1NF data system
Remote data access
In 1999 - 2000 Java-based remote viewers for the H-1NF
magnetic field and power supply data were further
developed. These transfer some of the processing load from
the H-1NF server computer to a client’s personal computer.
Work also continued on a more comprehensive Java viewer
combining the above with a Java MDSPlus viewer from the
University of Padua, Italy. Remote access, using “Virtual
Network Computer” (VNC) remote “virtual desktop”
software, is very useful for collaborators and Facility users at
remote sites. The ability for share-use of a common desktop,
graphical displays and mouse is valuable when collaborators
are not in the same location. (B.D. Blackwell and D. Price)
The MDSPlus data system, jointly developed by several
international plasma fusion laboratories, was implemented
in 1999 as the main H-1NF database during a visit by Thomas
Fredian from the Plasma Fusion Centre at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in the US. MDSPlus is a powerful
self-describing hierarchical database particularly suited to
time series data. The system, used in many large laboratories,
runs under OVMS, UNIX and on personal computers, has
transparent loss-less data compression, and a convenient
graphical interface. More than ten gigabytes of data in 7,000
pulses have been taken since installation. (B.D.Blackwell
and J.Howard)
Magnetic design and Optimization/Advanced Stellarators
An object orientated vacuum magnetic field line tracing code
with real time stereoscopic display of field lines and
conductor elements was implemented. Using a model of
the heliac H-1NF comprising 5000 finite filament elements,
a computational step rate of 23,000 steps/second was
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achieved integrating along magnetic field lines, with a 3D
cubic spline array size of 64MB, while maintaining a stereo
display refresh rate of 30 frames/second on a personal
computer. A perturbation calculation was added to allow
optimization of additional windings by simulated annealing
at rates faster than one iteration per second. This is
applicable to detailed error field calculations, flexibility
windings such as the helical core in the H-1 NF heliac, or in
new designs using advanced configurations. A Compact
Disk containing H-1 NF magnetic field data and the
interactive tracing program in web browser format will prove
useful to collaborators who need to understand the H-1 NF
magnetic geometry in detail. (B.D.Blackwell, B.F. McMillan,
A. Searle and H.J. Gardner)
Plasma diagnostic systems
Interferometry
Following modification in 1999 for operation at 743 microns
wavelength, the far-infrared scanning interferometer has
been operated reliably to provide plasma density profile
information (see Fig 11). The system has been tested at
high magnetic field strength, and new software developed
for automatic numerical phase demodulation and archiving
under the MDSplus data system. The acoustically noisy high-
speed air turbine for rotating the scanning grating has been
replaced with a quiet computer-controllable electric motor
drive. Plans are well-advanced for installation of additional
plasma views that will aid reliable tomographic
reconstruction of the plasma density distribution (Fig 12).
Greater viewing access to the plasma for the FIR system has
necessitated relocation of the swept frequency 2mm
interferometer to an adjacent port. (J. Howard, N. Gyaltson
and S. Collis)
Fig: 11. Gaussian beam ray trace simulation of the H-1 scanning far-infrared (FIR) interferometer. At present, both top and
bottom diagnonal views are installed and operating. The central views are presently being upgraded to obtain full plasma
coverage.
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Fig 13. False colour topographic plot showing the time evolution of the hollow ion temperature profile during an rf generated
argon discharge at low field (0.2T). This data was obtained using the 16 channel MOSS camera which views a full poloidal
plasma cross section. Note the numerous transitions between regimes of varying confinement. Combined with plasma flow
data (also obtained from the camera) and density information from the scanning FIR interferometer, it is possible to deduce
the structure of plasma internal electric field and so assess its influence on particle confinement.
Fig12. False colour topographic plot showing the interferometer phase shift (proportional to plasma density) as a function of
laser beam position in the plasma (Channel No.) and time (horizontal axis) during a resonantly heated hydrogen discharge at
0.5 T. Notice the collapse of the density profile approximately 50 ms after the commencement of the discharge. This may be
related to a build up of plasma impurities and is presently being investigated using a variety of spectroscopy diagnostics.
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Spectroscopy
This year the focus has been on both the development and
application of advanced diagnostic instrumentation based
on MOSS spectrometer. The instrument, which has been
patented by the ANU, is a modulated fixed-delay Fourier
transform spectrometer based on solid electro-optic
birefringent components. It is used for polarisation and
Doppler spectroscopy of transition radiation from neutral
atoms and from ions. Some of the earlier work on MOSS
was this year recognized with an invited presentation to the
13th biannual APS conference on high-temperature plasma
diagnostics in Tucson Arizona.
The MOSS program for 1999-2000 is summarized below.
More information about the MOSS spectrometer and related
technologies can be found at http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/
prl/MOSS.html
Fig 14. Schematic drawing of the ToMOSS rotatable platform installed on H-1. An array of 5x11 lens-coupled optical fibres
collect and transmit the plasma light to an imaging MOSS spectrometer. This data can then be tomographically inverted to
obtain plasma emission, temperature and flow contours.
• A 16 channel MOSS camera for Doppler spectral
imaging studies of plasma dynamics and transport has been
installed and operated (Fig13). First studies of ion transport
using modulational techniques that take advantage of the
high-time resolution afforded by MOSS have been
undertaken.
• After some initial difficulties, the tomographic MOSS
system (ToMOSS), which is based on a rotatable platform
that supports an array of 55 lens-coupled optical fibres that
view the H-1 plasma, has been installed (see Fig 14). The
light signals are transported to a 2-d MOSS camera for
spectral processing prior to acquisition by the H-1 digital
CAMAC data system. The first tomographic reconstructions
are expected before the end of 2000.
• A benchtop system for Zeeman spectroscopy is being
constructed. The instrument, which will be trialled in the
Faculties, has application for sensitive and fast measurement
of current profile in large tokamaks (e.g. DIII-D) as well as
in solar astrophysics.
��
• The multiple fixed delay Spread-spectrum Optical
Fourier Transform spectrometer (an extension of the MOSS
idea) has been successfully operated and first results reported
at the 13th APS Topical Conference on High Temperature
Plasma Diagnostics, Tuscon, USA. This system allows time-
resolved high-resolution study of spectral lineshape details.
The information is encoded on a number of discrete carriers
(channels) in the temporal frequency domain.
• Intra-vacuum lens-coupled optical fibres for MOSS/
SOFT study of ion distribution functions have revealed
important information pertaining to ion heating in H-1NF.
The results are being prepared for publication. (J. Howard,
F. Glass, C. Michael, A. Danielsson, B. Blackwell, J. Wach
and M. Blacksell)
Diagnostics for fluctuation & turbulence studies
Several new diagnostics have been set up on H-1NF to study
plasma instabilities and turbulence. These are the microwave
scattering diagnostic; electrostatic and magnetic probes; and
a twenty-channel correlation spectroscopy diagnostic.
A microwave scattering diagnostic is based on a four-channel
super-heterodyne detection system which measures the
microwave power scattered from plasma density fluctuations
(Fig15). A microwave power of about 50mW at frequency
Fig 15. Microwave scattering diagnostic: schematic of the geometry (left) and photograph of the quasi optical microwave
antennas inside the H-1 NF
132GHz is scattered over a range of angles determined by
the wave number of the plasma density fluctuations. This
scattered power is collected by four quasi-optical antennas
placed inside the vacuum tank of H-1NF. The diagnostic
measures the frequency spectra and the wavelength
distribution of the plasma turbulence, as well as the
propagation direction of the fluctuations in the plasma. The
system was modified in 1999 to improve its spatial resolution
(about 0.2 of the minor plasma radius for all channels. (http:/
/rsphysse.anu.edu.au/~wms112/mscat)
The correlation spectroscopy diagnostic complements the
microwave scattering in a range of the plasma turbulence
wave lengths above ~1 cm. The system consists of two linear
optical fibre arrays (10 channels each) which are imaged
into the plasma from two orthogonal views. Fluctuations in
the plasma density and electron temperature contribute to
the fluctuations in the measured intensity of the spectral
line emission. By cross-correlating chord-average line
intensities it is possible, in some cases, to obtain spatially
localised fluctuation intensity, frequency spectra and the
fluctuation correlation lengths.
(http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/~mgs112/html/corspec.htm)
(M.G.Shats, W.Solomon, H. Punzmann and D.L. Rudakov)
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II Australian Fusion ResearchGroup collaborations
MOSS High Voltage Driver (University of Canberra)
Consistent with efforts to use commercially available
hardware wherever possible, the MOSS drive circuitry is
based on standard stereo audio amplifiers and high voltage,
low-loss step-up transformers to excite the essentially
capacative crystal load. Important progress was made in
developing and testing a comprehensive network model that
describes the electrical behaviour of the MOSS drive
circuitry. The model has been used to tailor drive
requirements to suit specific MOSS applications
(A.D.Cheetham [UC]).
Digital Signal Processing (Central Queensland University)
The use of wavelet transforms in time-frequency analysis of
plasma diagnostic data has been investigated. The plasma
density and potential fluctuations from the Langmuir probe
diagnostics were analysed using wavelets, and their effect
on particle transport was studied. This work is led by Central
Queensland University, and funded by an AINSE travel grant.
(X-H Shi, J Boman [CQU]; M Shats)
Plasma Theory (Flinders University)
A resistive MHD stability and spectral code, SPECTOR-3D,
is being developed for 3D helical configurations to be
applicable to stellarators and, in particular, to H-1NF. The
collaboration began this year and will be funded by an AINSE
travel grant in 2000. (R. Storer [Flinders University]; H.J.
Gardner)
Soft X-ray Measurement System (University of Canberra)
Assoc Prof Andrew Cheetham spent 6 months working in
the Plasma Research Laboratory from July 99 to January 2000
while on study leave from the University of Canberra. The
housing for the 16-channel x-ray detector has been
constructed. It comprises a stainless steel cylinder with a
detachable beryllium foil covered slit at one end to provide
a light-tight view of the plasma. The other end supports the
mounting for the detector chip and its amplifiers with a light-
tight labyrinth to allow cable egress. The detector assembly
has been mounted above the plasma and slightly outboard
to afford a view along the long cross-section of the plasma.
It has been placed as close as practicable to the multi channel
interferometer to allow correlation between density and
temperature measurements. Currently 8 of the 16 channels
have been connected; these eight will view the plasma along
the central chord, 3 inboard chords and 4 outboard.
Currently external circuitry is being constructed. It is hoped
that soft x-ray measurements should be available before the
end of 2000. Measurements of the soft x-ray flux will allow
calculation of plasma pressure, the effects of impurities and
electron temperature. (B.D. Blackwell; A.D. Cheetham [UC])
Laser Induced Fluorescence (University of Sydney)
A laser induced fluorescence system is being developed for
measurement of edge electric fields in the H-1 heliac.
Following grants from both the Research Infrastructure
Equipment and Facilities (RIEF) and Australian Research
Council large grant schemes, Dr Peter Feng was recently
appointed to a three-year position with the University of
Sydney to undertake this work. This work is being
coordinated by the University of Sydney.(J. Howard; B.W.
James and P. Feng [U.Syd.])
Fibre Sensors (University of New England)
The University of New England developed novel optical fibre
sensors and bolometers for electric field and thermal
measurements in the edge and body of the H-1 NF plasma.
Their insulating nature and immunity to high voltage and
electromagnetic noise makes these devices particularly
attractive for plasma work. This year brings an important
phase of this work to a conclusion with Mr V Everett now in
the process of writing up the results for his PhD thesis.
(J.Howard, B.D.Blackwell, J.H.Harris; V.Everett, G.B.Scelsi and
G.A.Woolsey[UNE])
��
In the period 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, the academic
staff of H-1NF undertook a broad spectrum of activities to
promote the Facility and its research endeavours across
academia, government and industry. These activities
included participation in a number of national and high-
profile international conferences. Service was given to
outside organisations, and researchers also engaged in a
number of collaborative ventures with partners from industry
and other universities at both a national and international
level. These activities are summarised below.
International Conferences
Prof J.H. Harris and Dr M.G. Shats attended the 12th
International Stellarator Workshop, Madison, Wisconsin,
27 September-1st October, 1999. Two invited papers
describing the fluctuations and turbulent transport studies
in the H-1NF heliac were presented at the Conference.
Dr G.G. Borg presented an invited paper at the 41st Meeting
of the American Physical Society, Division of Plasma
Physics, Seattle, USA, from 15-19 November, 1999.
The Fifth Australia-Japan Workshop on Plasma
Diagnostics held in Naka, Japan during December 15-17,
1999, was attended by Dr. Howard, Mr. C. Michael and Mr
W. Solomon. Five papers were presented and published in
the JAERI report: JAERI-Conf 2000-007.
Dr G. Borg attended the AP2000 Milennium Conf. On
Antennas and Propagation, 9-14 April, 2000, Davos,
Switzerland, and presented a paper describing plasma
antennas.
Dr M.G.Shats attended the 13th US Transport Task Force
Workshop, Burlington, Vermont, 25-29 April. 2000. Dr
Shats presented an invited paper describing modifications
in the turbulent transport by sheared radial electric fields in
stellarators.
Dr J. Howard attended the 13th APS Topical Conference
on High Temperature Plasma Diagnostics in Tucson, USA,
during the week June 18-23, 2000. He presented an invited
paper describing latest plasma results obtained using the
new MOSS spectrometer and camera.
Mr W. Solomon also attended the 13th APS Topical
Conference on High Temperature Plasma Diagnostics and
presented two contributed papers describing the microwave
scattering diagnostic and a new probe technique for transport
studies. Additional papers by Mr C. Michael and Mr. F.
Glass were presented on recent work with the MOSS camera
and tomographic MOSS systems.
National Conferences
Prof J.H. Harris attended the Third Conference on Nuclear
Science and Engineering in Australia, held in Canberra
from 27-28 October, 1999, and presented an invited paper.
Prof R.W. Boswell, Drs A. Degeling, T. Sheridan and C.
Charles together with Mr.P. Alexander and Mr. K.Gaff
attended the Eleventh Gaseous Electronics Meeting, held
in Armidale, NSW, from January 31 to February 2, 2000.
Five papers were presented.
Prof. J.H. Harris attended the National Innovation Summit,
Melbourne, 9-11 February, 2000, held at the Melbourne
Convention Centre. The focus of the Summit, jointly
sponsored by the Business Council of Australia and the
Commonwealth Government, was the creation of a national
partnership for enhancing Australia’s innovation
performance.
III Facility Awareness andPromotion
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Service to Outside Organisations
Dr G.G. Borg
Editor, Czech Journal of Physics
Professor R.W. Boswell
Member International Organizing Committee of ISPC 15,
2000
Vice-President Member Comittee for the Gaseous
Electronics Meeting.
Vice-President, Vacuum Society of Australia
Professor J.H. Harris
Member, Stellarator Physics Advisory Committee, Princeton
Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, USA.
Member, Plasma Specialist Committee, AINSE
Member, Executive Committee for the International Energy
Agency Implementing Agreement for Research on
Stellarators
Member, Program Committee, 12th International Stellarator
Workshop, Madison, Wisconsin USA 1999
Chairman, 13th International Stellarator Workshop,
Canberra, Australia, 2001
Dr J. Howard
Member, Plasma Specialist Committee, AINSE
Lecturer, 4th Year Electrical Engineering , Electronic
Engineering Case Studies, University of Canberra
Dr M.G. Shats
Member, Program Committee, International Workshop, Role
of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust,
Prague.
Workshops and PromotionalActivities
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research was held at Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia
from 1 to 4 July, 1999. This fifth Australia-Japan US
Workshop on aspects of theoretical plasma physics was
organised by Prof R.L. Dewar. The Workshop had 24
participants, comprising 12 from Australia, 8 from Japan
(including an Australian working in Japan) and 4 from the
US. Eleven of the Australian participants were funded under
the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’
Industrial Research Alliances (IRAP) program. The
participants were principally physics or computer scientists
(or both) but there were two industry representatives, one
from Millenium Audio Visual and one from Intergraph
Corporation. A feature of the workshop was the availability
of immersive three-dimensional graphics projection facilities
provided by a portable WEDGE system. The computer and
projection facilities were organised by Dr J.H. Gardner, Prof
R.W. Boswell, Dr B.D. Blackwell and Mr P. Alexander. A
Virtual Proceedings is available at http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/
~grp105/Magn Island Proceedings/Main Page.html.
H-1NF researchers hosted a visit by a group of twelve
engineers from the Australian Nuclear Science and
Technology Organisation, Sydney, on Monday, 24th January,
2000.
��
IV.1 Collaborative research
Collaboration with Japanese stellarator researchers
continued as the largest international activity on H-1NF. A
highlight this year was the Fifth Australia-Japan Workshop
on Plasma Diagnostics held in Naka, Japan during
December 15 to 17, 1999. This meeting which was, in
part, supported by a $6,000 grant from DISR, was attended
by six Australian participants, three of whom (Dr J.Howard,
Mr. C. Michael and Mr W. Solomon) were from the Plasma
Research Laboratory. In the week prior to the workshop Dr
Howard and Mr. Michael visited the National Institute for
Fusion Science in Japan to undertake ion temperature and
flow measurements on the LHD stellarator using the MOSS
spectrometer. This visit was funded by the Japanese. It was
resolved that the Sixth Australia-Japan Workshop on
Plasma Diagnostics be held in conjunction with the 13th
International Stellarator Workshop in Australia at the H-1
National Facility site in Canberra in September, 2001. These
international workshops will attract fusion scientists from
around the world.
Dr. Seki and Dr G.G. Borg, used the ORION 2D plasma
wave code to model the RF heating process in H-1NF.
Dr M. Yokoyama, from NIFS, visited the H-1NF to begin
work on novel magnetic configurations that could be
realised in the H-1NF by changing the magnetic coil
currents.
Dr. M.G. Shats has started a new collaborative project with
the Stellarator Group of the University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin (USA) on the comparative analysis of
the plasma confinement in stellarators. This project is partly
supported by a $5,200 travel grant from the Australian
Academy of Science. The collaboration will allow for the
basic plasma confinement characteristics in the H-1 NF
heliac and in the newly built Helically Symmetric Experiment
(Madison) to be compared.
Dr Howard visited the University of New England during
May 17 and 18, 2000 for discussions with Prof. Woolsey
and Mr V. Everett on the results of optical-fibre-based probe
measurements on H-1NF.
Advanced Stellarator Configurations
The Plasma Research Laboratory, through its recent
collaborative agreement with the Princeton Plasma
Physics Laboratory (PPPL), contributed to the conceptual
design of the “Quasi-Axisymmetric Stellarator”. This is a
new experiment by a consortium of plasma researchers
in the United States to develop the BLINE real-time
visualization and optimization code for magnetic
confinement systems. (B.D. Blackwell, J.H. Harris)
Remote Data Access
Various schemes for remote access to plasma data were
tested to facilitate national and international
collaborations. Initial experiments with Java based data
viewers were performed in collaboration with the MIT
Plasma Fusion Centre, demonstrating the advantages of
local processing and replotting when the data source is
very remote. Remote access to data from the TJ-II
heliac in Spain was demonstrated using Virtual Network
Computer (VNC) remote “virtual desktop” software
developed by Olivetti, (UK). This approach processes
data remotely, and transmits only the (compressed)
graphical output. The ability of both local and remote
users to simultaneously work on the same VNC
desktop proved very useful in recent collaborations with
the University of New England on optical fibre plasma
probes. (B.D. Blackwell)
IV.2 Education and Training
The Australian Fusion Research Group meets regularly to
coordinate a wide range of collaborative activities on H-
1NF involving both professional staff and postgraduate
students at universities around Australia. The Group is
currently planning an intensive undergraduate level course
in Plasma Physics in order to expose potential graduate
students to the field. This course is deemed necessary as
there are only three universities in Australia that teach formal
courses in plasma physics. The course will run for the first
time in 2000.
IV Collaboration, Educationand Training
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The H-1 National Facility also serves as a focus for a large
variety of research projects for both postgraduate and
undergraduate students whose projects were supervised by
academic staff. The students work as integral members of
the research team. Listed below are the students who worked
on projects at the H-1NF during 1999-2000.
Postgraduate Students
Mr. S. Collis, BSc USyd
Mr. V. Everett, BSc UNE
Mr. K. Gaff, BSc Mon. (jointly with the Department of Optical
Sciences, Australian National University)
Mr. F. Glass, BSc Qld
Mr. R. Hawkins, BE BIT
Mr. C. Michael, BSc ANU
Mr. H. Punzmann, BSc Polytech Regensburg, Germany
Mr. W. Solomon, BSc Qld
Undergraduate Scholars
Mr M. Anich, Weingarten Fachhochschule, Germany
Mr E. Baillot, University of Orléans, France
Mr. M. Becker, Kempten Fachhochschule, Germany
Mr. O. Gall, Ecole Polytechnique, Cedex, France
Mr. B. Kwan, Australian National University
Mr. J. Kircher, Weingarten Fachhochschule, Germany
Mr R. Kumar, University of Western Sydney
Mr A. Last, Australian National University
Mr P. Linardakis, Australian National University
Mr A. Lusso, Australian National University
Mr B. McMillan, University of Melbourne
Mr L. Robinson, Australian National University
Mr. P. Rochon, Université d’Orleans, France
Mr A. Searle, Australian National University
Mr H.J. Tait, Australian National University
Mr. D. Ward, University of Newcastle
Mr. D. Wotton, Australian National University
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V Contribution to AustralianIndustry
V.1 The MOSS spectrometer
The Modulated Solid-State Spectrometer (MOSS) is a
compact realisation of a Fourier-transform spectrometer that
was developed and patented by Dr. John Howard in 1997
as part of the H-1NF project. It allows the measurement of
temperatures and flows in radiating media such as plasmas
with high light efficiency and speed. Its first applications
have been in the diagnosis of fusion plasmas in H-1NF, the
CDX-U experiment at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory,
and in the LHD experiment at the National Institute of Fusion
Science (NIFS) in Japan. An early model was commercialised
with Australian Scientific Instruments Pty. Ltd. of Canberra
and sold to Princeton. This year, the use of a compact multi-
channel MOSS camera for two-dimensional time-resolved
spectral imaging was demonstrated. To minimize costs,
commercially available camera lenses and polarizers and
standard optical mating components have been used
wherever possible. In coming years, possible applications
of MOSS technologies to other imaging problems in
medicine and materials will be explored.
Fig 16. Photograph showing the MOSS camera installed on H-1
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Fig17.The HF plasma antenna concept demonstrator
delivered to the DSTO
Fig18.The plasma microwave lens in action
V.2 The plasma antenna
In the period under review, the first stage of a contract offered
for tender by the Defence Science and Technology
Organisation (DSTO), which was won by the Plasma
Research Laboratory, was successfully completed. A second
stage DSTO contract to develop a concept demonstrator
HF plasma antenna was initiated, and this concept
demonstrator was delivered in March 2000
Six Engineering students from the Australian National
University ’s Faculty of Engineering and Information
Technology (FEIT), completed their honours projects on the
plasma antenna at the end of 1999. These projects were
all related to various aspects of the plasma antenna.
A further contract with DSTO to develop a programmable
microwave plasma lens was also initiated in 1999, and has
been the subject of an engineering honours thesis for Mr.
Peter Linardakis. This contract was completed in 2000 and
a concept demonstrator, capable of steering X–W band
microwaves, has been developed.
A DETYA Year 2000 Strategic Partnerships with Industry -
Research and Training Scheme (SPIRT) grant was won by
the Plasma Research Laboratory and will support a PhD
student to undertake the further development of the HF
plasma antenna in collaboration with CEA Technologies ACT
and NEOLITE NEON Sydney.
MOTOROLA-USA has awarded the Plasma Research
Laboratory a continuing contract of $49,500 to develop fast
plasma switches for mobile phones. This grant will support
a PhD student, Mr. Peter Linardakis in the first instance
��
Fig19. Professor Rod Boswell and Dr Henry Gardner with the WEDGE
V.3 The WEDGE virtual realitytheatre
The need to visualise the complex geometry of plasma
confinement in three-dimensions led Prof. R. Boswell and
Dr. H. Gardner to conceive of the WEDGE, a two-wall virtual
reality theatre that uses simplicity in design coupled with
personal computer technology to achieve stereoscopic data
visualisation at a fraction of the cost of existing commercial
systems. (Fig19)
Demonstration systems were developed in collaboration with
the ANU Supercomputing Facility, and a large-scale system
was sold to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney where it is
on public display. An even larger system has now been
installed in the new CSIRO Discovery Centre at the Plant
Sciences building in Canberra. A system will soon also be
operational in the Australian Defence Forces Academy,
Canberra. Applications to virtual engineering design and data
analysis are also being developed in the H-1NF.
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VI.1 Management Structure of theH-1 National Facility
The management structure of the Facility is shown in Fig19.
This structure involves three major organisations DISR, AINSE
and the ANU all of which have input to the Board. The
Board and the Steering and Operations Committees have
direct impact on the Facility.
The role of AINSE through its Plasma Specialist Committee
lies mainly in the allocation of travel funds to, and
coordination of, the AFRG collaborations. The AFRG has
input at all levels as the collaboration with these external
bodies is crucial to the objectives and success of the project.
The Steering Committee plans the various programs:
construction, installation, commissioning and experiments.
The Operations Committee is more or less the shop floor
organisation of the actual experimental work.
The Board guides the operation of the Facility as a whole.
As shown in Table 2, the Board is comprised almost entirely
of ex officio members from the institutions with an interest
in the operation of the Facility.
VI.2 Membership of the H-1NFBoard
The present membership of the H-1NF Board includes
representatives of Australian research institutions,
government, industry, and overseas fusion research
laboratories. The H-1NF Board meets two or three times
per year at the ANU. (Fig21)
VI Staffing and Administration
Fig20. The management structure of the Facility
Fig21. Membership of the H-1NF Board
��
VI.3 Australian Fusion ResearchGroup
Academic Staff
Prof. J.H. Harris (ANU), Director, H-1NF
Dr. B.D. Blackwell, (ANU), H-1NF Facility Manager
A/Prof. A.D. Cheetham. University of Canberra, Chairman,
AFRG
Dr. J. Howard, (ANU) H-1NF Diagnostics Coordinator
Dr. G.G. Borg, (ANU)
Prof. R.W. Boswell, (ANU)
Prof. R. Castillo, University of Western Sydney
Dr. C. Charles, (ANUTECH)
A/Prof. R. Cross, University of Sydney
Prof. R.L. Dewar, (ANU)
Dr. H.J. Gardner, (ANU)
A/Prof. B. James, University of Sydney
Dr. D. Miljak, University of Sydney
Dr. M. Shats, (ANU)
Dr. X-H. Shi, University of Central Queensland
A/Prof. R. Storer, Flinders University
Dr. G.B. Warr,(ANUTECH)
Prof. G. Woolsey, University of New England
Technical Staff
Mr. G.C.J. Davies, Head Technical Officer
Mr. P. Alexander
Mr. R. Davies
Mr. R.J. Kimlin
Mr. J. Wach
Mr. C. Costa, AFRG Technical Officer
General Staff
Ms. H.P. Hawes (ANU), Departmental Administrator
VI.4 Visiting Researchers
Mr. T. Fredian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Dr. K. Kawahata, National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
Dr. K. Nagasaki, Kyoto University, Japan
Dr. T. Seki, National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
Prof. K. Toi, National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
Prof. T. Watari, National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
Dr. M. Yokoyama, National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
VI.5 H-1 NF Board
Chair
Dr J. Baker, OBE FTSE
Scientific Secretary, AINSE
Dr. D. Mather
Minutes Secretary
Ms H P Hawes
AFRG Chair
Prof A D Cheetham
Deputy VC, ANU
Prof. J. Richards, FIREE, FIEAust FIEEE
AINSE President
Prof. R. Macdonald, FAIP
Director, IAS, ANU
Prof. F. Jackson, FAHA
ARC Representative
Prof. J. Piper, FOSA FAIP
H-1NF Director
Professor J H Harris, FAPS
Overseas Fusion Reps.
Prof. A Iiyoshi & Prof. Fujiwara
Director, RSPhysSE, ANU
Prof. E Weigold, FAA FTSE FAPS FAIP
Senior Res. Admin.
Prof. L. Cram, FAIP FRAS
Industry Representative
Mr. A. Sproule
Senior Fusion Scientists
Em. Prof. S. M. Hamberger, FAIP
Em. Prof. M. H. Brennan, AO FAIP FAA
Dr. R. Gammon, FAIE FAIM
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Legend
# Former member of the Research School of Physical
Sciences
*Not a member of ANU
1999 - Refereed Journals
Borg, G.G., Harris, J.H., Miljak, D.# and Martin, N.M.*
The Application of Plasma Columns to Radiofrequency
Antennas
Applied Physics Letters 74 22 (1999) 3272-3274.
Borg, G.G., Kamenski, I.V. #Harris, J.H., Miljak, D.G. # and
Martin, N.M.*
Plasma Antenna - Now You See It...Now you Don’t
ARAAA News 4 (1999) 1-4.
Howard, J.
Optical Coherence-Based Techniques for Motional Stark Effect
Measurements of Magnetic Field Pitch Angle
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 41 (1999) 271-284.
Howard, J.
MOSS Spectrometer Applications in Plasma Diagnostics
Review of Scientific Instruments 70 (1999) 368-371.
Reiman, A.*, Fu, G.*, Hirshman, S.*, Ku, L.*, Monticello,
D.*, Mynick, H.*, Redi, M.*, Spong, D.*, Zarnstorff, M.*,
Blackwell, B.D., Boozer, A.*, Brooks, A.*, Cooper, W.A.,
Drevlak, M., Goldston, R.*, Harris, J.H., Isaev, M.*, Kessel,
C.*, Lin, Z.*, Lyon, J.F.*, Merkel, P.*, Mikhailov, M.*,
Miner,W.*, Nakajima, N.*, Neilson, G.*, Nührenberg, C.*,
Okamoto, M.*, Pomphrey, N.*, Reiersen,W.*, Sanchez, R.*,
Schmidt,J.*, Subbotin, A.*, Valanju, P.*, Watanabe, K.Y.*
and White, R.*
Physics Design of a High-ß Quasi-Axisymmetric Stellarator
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 41 (1999) B273-
B283.
Rudakov, ,D.L.#, Shats, M.G., Boswell, R.W., Charles , C.
and Howard, J.
Overview of Probe Diagnostics on the H-1 Heliac
Review of Scientific Instruments 70 (1999) 476-479.
Schneider, D.A.#, Borg, G.G. and Kamenski, I.V.#
Measurements and Code Comparison of Wave Dispersion
and Antenna Radiation Resistance for Helicon Waves in a
High Density Cylindrical Plasma Source
Physics of Plasmas 6 (1999) 703-712.
Shats, M.G.
Effect of the Radial Electric Field on the Fluctuation-Produced
Transport in the H-1 Heliac
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 41 11 (1999) 1357-
1370.
Tanaka, K.*, Kawahata, K.*, Ejiri, A.*, CHS Group*, Howard,
J. and Okajima, S.*
Faraday Rotation Measurements on Compact Helical System
by Using a Phase Sensitive Heterodyne Polarimeter
Review of Scientific Instruments 70 (1999) 730-733.
2000 - Refereed Journals
Borg, G.G., Harris, J.H, Martin, N.M.*, Thorncraft ,D.,
Milliken.R.* , Miljak, D.G.#, Kwan, B., Ng, T. and Kircher,J.
Plasmas as Antennas – Theory, Experiment and Applications
Physics of Plasmas 7(5) (2000) 2198-2202.
Shats, M.G., Toi, K.*, Ohkuni, K.*, Yoshimura, Y.*, Osakabe,
M.*, Matsunaga, G.*, Isobe, M.*, Nishimura, S.*, Okamura,
S.*, Matsuoka, K.* and CHS Group.*
Inward Turbulent Transport Produced by Positively Sheared
Radial Electric Field in Stellarators
Physical Review Letters 84 26 (2000) 6042-6045.
1999-2000 - InternationalConference Proceedings
Harris, J.H.
Status and Plans for the H-1 Heliac Experiment
12th International Stellarator Workshop, Madison,
Wisconsin, 27 September to October 1, 1999.
VII List of Publications
��
Shats, M.G.
Fluctuations and Turbulent Transport Studies in the H-1 Heliac
12th International Stellarator Workshop, Madison,
Wisconsin, 27 September to October 1, 1999.
Borg,G.G.,.Harris,J.H., Martin, N.M.*, Thorncraft, D.+,
Milliken, R.*, Miljak,, D.G.#, Kwan, B. , Ng, T. and Kircher,
J.
Plasmas as Antennas – Theory, Experiment and Applications
The 41st Meeting of the American Physical Society, Division
of Plasma Physics, Seattle, USA, 15-19 November, 1999.
Howard, J.
H-1NF Program and Diagnostic Systems
The Fifth Japan-Australia Diagnostics Workshop, Naka
Japan, 15-17 December, 1999
JAERI-CONF 2000-007 p1c
Howard, J., Glass, F., Michael, C. and Cheetham. A.D.
Doppler Coherence Spectroscopy at H-1NF.
The Fifth Japan-Australia Diagnostics Workshop, Naka
Japan, 15-17 December, 1999
JAERI-CONF 2000-007 p10-20
Michael, C. and Howard. J.
MOSS Spectroscopic Camera for Imaging Time-Resolved
Plasma Species Temperature and Flow Speed
The Fifth Japan-Australia Diagnostics Workshop, Naka
Japan, 15-17 December, 1999
JAERI-CONF 2000-007 p21-28
Howard, J..
Polarization Spectroscopy Using Optical Coherence-Based
Techniques
The Fifth Japan-Australia Diagnostics Workshop, Naka
Japan, 15-17 December, 1999
JAERI-CONF 2000-007 p100-106
Cheetham, A.D., Michael, C. and Howard, J.
Drive Circuitry for the MOSS Spectrometer
The Fifth Australia-Japan Workshop on Plasma
Diagnostics Naka, Japan December 15-17,1999
JAERI-CONF 2000-007, p111-136.
Borg,G.G., Harris,J.H, Martin,N.M.*, Thorncraft,D.,
Milliken,R.*,.Miljak, D.G.#., Kwan,B., Ng, T. and Kircher, J.
An Investigation of the Properties and Applications of Plasma
Antennas
The AP2000 Milennium Conf. On Antennas and
Propagation, 9-14 April, Davos, Switzerland, 2000, Paper
0271.
Solomon, W. M., Shats, M.G., Korneev, D.* and Nagasaki,
K.*
Collective Microwave Scattering Diagnostic On The H-1
Heliac
13th APS Topical Conference on High Temperature Plasma
Diagnostics, Tucson, USA, June 18-23, 2000.
Solomon , W.M. and Shats, M. G.
Fluctuation Studies Using Combined Mach/Triple Probe
13th APS Topical Conference on High Temperature Plasma
Diagnostics, Tucson, USA, June 18-23, 2000.
Shats M.G.
Fluctuations and Turbulent Transport Studies in the H-1 Heliac
13th US Transport Task Force Workshop, Burlington,
Vermont, 25-29 April. 2000.
Shats M.G.
Comparisons of the Modifications in the Turbulent Transport
by Sheared Radial Electric Fields in Stellarators
13th US Transport Task Force Workshop, Burlington,
Vermont, 25-29 April. 2000.
1999-2000 National ConferenceProceedings
Charles, C., Degeling, A.#, Sheridan, T.#, Harris, J.H.,
Lieberman,M.* and Boswell,R.W.
Absolute Measurements of rf Fields Using a Retarding Field
Energy Analyser
Eleventh Gaseous Electronics Meeting, Armidale, NSW
January 31 to February 2, 2000
Gardner, H.J.
Object Technology for Scientific Computing - the Promise
and the Practise
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research, Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, 1-4 July,
1999.
Boswell, R.W.
Progress with the WEDGE Interactive Virtual Reality system
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research, Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, 1-4 July,
1999.
National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����
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Blackwell, B.D.
Use of Web-based 3D VIsualization Resources for Complex
Problems in Plasma Physics
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research, Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia , 1-4 July,
1999.
Charles, C.
Recent Results on Radial and Axial RFEA Studies of Particle
Distribution Functions and their Visualisation
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research, Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, 1-4 July,
1999.
Dewar, R.L.
Visualisation Techniques in Theoretical Plasma Physics
The Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High Performance
Computing and Advanced Visualization in Plasma Physics
Research, Magnetic Island, Queenslaßnd, Australia, 1-4 July,
1999.
Harris, J.H.
Fusion Energty for the 21st Century
Third Conference on Nuclear Science and Engineering
in Australia, Canberra, 27-28 October, 1999.
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VIII 1999 - 2000GRANTS AND AWARDS
* Grant for support of a Technical Officer attached to National Plasma Fusion Project.
Table 2
Honours and Awards
Prof. Jeffrey Harris was elected as a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,USA, and a
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics
Researcher/s Organisation Title of Project Source ofGrant
Periodof Award
GrantAmount
$
Prof J. Harris et al. ANU National PlasmaFusion ResearchFacility
DIST Dec1995Dec 2001 8,700,000
Prof J. Harris ANU *Plasma FusionNational ResearchFacility
UC May 1996 -Dec 1999 30,000
Prof J. Harris ANU *Plasma FusionNational ResearchFacility
UCQ May 1996 -Dec 1999 30,000
Prof J. Harris ANU *Plasma FusionNational ResearchFacility
Univ. Syd May 1996 -Dec 1999 45,000
Prof J. HarrisDr G. BorgDr N. Martin
ANUDSTO
Production of aDemonstrationPlasma Antenna
DSTO Jan - Dec 1999 37,000
Dr. H.J. Gardner, ProfR.W.BoswellDr R. Gingold
ANU Software LicenceAgreementPowerhouse
Museum ofApplied Arts
Sciences
June 1999-June 2000 25,000
Dr M. G.Shats ANU Comparative studiesin the stellaratortransport
TheAustralian
Academy ofSciences
2000 5,225
A/Prof B. JamesDr. J. HowardProf. S.Buckman
UsydANUANU
LIF Measurement ofPlasma E Field
ARC LargeGrant
2000-02 250,000
Dr. J. Howard ANU Support forAustralia-JapanWorkshop
DISR 1999 6,000
Total 9,023,225
National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����
�
Milestone Plan Revised Achieved Status/Progress
Magnet Power Supply
0.5 Tesla 5-1998 2-1999 achieved
1.0 Tesla 4-2000 6-2001 power supply to full current(11/99)
ECH Plasma Heating
100 kW into dummy load 3-1998 6-1997 ahead
150 kW into plasma 6-1998 10-2000 waveguide and window 5/2000
ICH Plasma Heating
Demonstrate rf heating at low field (0.1T) 9-1997 9-1997 on time
100 kW into plasma 10-1998 6-1998 ahead
200 kW into plasma 6-1999 3-2001 transmitter to full power 12/98
High Power Heating upgrade
Decide balance of ECH/ICH 6-1999 6-2001 depends on ECH/ICH above
Diagnostics
Solid state spectrometer for flow andtemperature profiles, operational
7-1997 7-1997 on time
Multiple retarding field energy analyzeroperational
8-1997 3-2001 8/97 single chan
2D tomographic density interferometeroperational
4-1998 4-1998 on time
Multiview Thomson scattering operational 9-1998 10-2000 part installed 7/2000
2D visible Doppler spectroscopy systemoperational
1-1999 9-2000 installed 9/1999
Multiview Soft X-ray diagnostic operational 3-1999 10-2000 installed 9/1999
Data system
Real time experimental participationdemonstrated from remote sites—
7-1998 6-1998 ahead
IX PROJECT PROGRESSVERSUS MILESTONES
Project Milestones
Table 4 lists the 1999–2000 project milestones taken from the MNRF contract between DISR and the ANU. (see page 6)
The earlier date was based on the anticipated use of an unregulated power supply in advance of installation of the
regulated supply. It was ultimately decided to shift effort to the design and procurement of the fully regulated supply to
achieve regulated operation sooner.
Table 3. Milestone completion status for H-1NF development.
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X FINANCIAL STATEMENTSThe financial statements which follow are the quarterly cash flow reports for the periods ending 30th September, 1999, 31st
December, 1999, 31st March, 2000 and 30th June 2000. The audited report for the 1999-2000 financial year was not
available at the time of printing this Annual Report.
Quarterly Report Ending September 1999
National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����
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Quarterly Report Ending December 1999
National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����National Plasma Fusion Research Facility � Annual Report ����
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Quarterly Report Ending June 2000
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List of Acronyms
ABC Australian Broadcasting Commission
AFRG Australian Fusion Research Group
ANU Australian National University
AINSE Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
CDX-U Current Drive Experiment-Upgrade
CQU Central Queensland University
DC Direct Current
DISR Department of Industry, Science and Resources
DSTO Defence Science and Technology Organisation
DT Deuterium-Tritium
ECH Electron Cyclotron Heating
ECRH Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating
HARE Helicon Activated Reactive Etching
H-1NF Heliac 1 National Facility
IAS Institute of Advanced Science
JET Joint European Torus
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LHD Large Helical Device
MDS Model Data System
MHD Magneto-hydrodynamic
MOSS Modulated Optical Solid State
NIFS National Institute for Fusion Science
OVMS Open Virtual Machine Operating System
ORION Oak Ridge Ion
PIC Particle-in-Cell
PC Personal Computer
RF Radio-frequency
RIEFP Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme
SOFT Spread-Spectrum Optical Fourier Transform
SPIRT Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research and Training Scheme
SP3 Space and Plasma Processing
TFTR Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor
TJ-II Torus de la Junta de l’Energia Nuclear
UC University of Canberra
VNC Virtual Network Computer