Real time plasma current and elongation control using ECRH actuators

Experiments have been carried out on TCV using Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) actuators to control the plasma current and elongation in real time. In fully non-inductive plasmas, the plasma current may be driven entirely by ECCD on TCV. By replacing the Ohmic coils with the gyrotron power supplies, we were able to control the plasma current in real time. In tokamak plasmas, the elongation is usually controlled by the quadrupole magnetic field from the poloidal field coils. Applying off-axis ECRH, the current profile is flattened reducing the plasma internal inductance, and at constant quadrupole field, the plasma elongates (κ ~ 2.4) [1]. This paper reports on experiments to control the plasma elongation using a real time elongation observer and the ECRH power actuator to control the current profile. As the plasma elongates, the ECRH deposition becomes more central. Therefore a deposition tracking control was developed which tracked the ECRH deposition at constant ρ by controlling the ECRH launcher mirror position

A Western single-center experience with endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancers

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gained worldwide acceptance as a treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers (EGICs). However, the management of these tumors in the Western world is still mainly surgical. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ESD at a European center. Based on the knowledge transferred by one of the most experienced Japanese institutions, we conducted a pilot study on 25 consecutive patients with EGICs located in the esophagus (n = 3), stomach (n = 7), duodenum (n = 1), and colon (n = 14) at our tertiary center over a 2-year-period. The main outcome measurements were complete (R0) resection, as well as en-bloc resection and the management of complications. The R0 and en-bloc resection rates were 100% and 84%, respectively. There were three cases of bleeding and five cases of perforation. With a median follow up of 18 months, two recurrences were observed. We conclude that ESD for early esophageal and gastric cancers is feasible and effective, while colonic ESD requires more expertise

Design of tangential viewing phase contrast imaging for turbulence measurements in JT-60SA

A tangential viewing phase contrast imaging system is being designed for the JT-60SA tokamak to investigate microturbulence. In order to obtain localized information on the turbulence, a spatial-filtering technique is applied, based on magnetic shearing. The tangential viewing geometry enhances the radial localization. The probing laser beam is injected tangentially and traverses the entire plasma region including both low and high field sides. The spatial resolution for an Internal Transport Barrier discharge is estimated at 30%-70% of the minor radius at k = 5 cm(-1), which is the typical expected wave number of ion scale turbulence such as ion temperature gradient/trapped electron mode. Published by AIP Publishing

Design of tangential viewing phase contrast imaging for turbulence measurements in JT-60SA

A tangential viewing phase contrast imaging system is being designed for the JT-60SA tokamak to investigate microturbulence. In order to obtain localized information on the turbulence, a spatial-filtering technique is applied, based on magnetic shearing. The tangential viewing geometry enhances the radial localization. The probing laser beam is injected tangentially and traverses the entire plasma region including both low and high field sides. The spatial resolution for an Internal Transport Barrier discharge is estimated at 30%–70% of the minor radius at k = 5 cm−1, which is the typical expected wave number of ion scale turbulence such as ion temperature gradient/trapped electron mode