Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor prototype x-ray pulse-height analyzer diagnostic

Abstract

The x‐ray pulse‐height analysis (PHA) diagnostic uses a liquid‐nitrogen cooled array of 5 Si(Li) and one HpGe detectors to do time‐resolved (5–100 ms) x‐ray spectroscopy of the central horizontal chord of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) plasmas in the 1–50‐keV range. Central electron temperature T_e and concentration of medium and low‐Z impurities are derived from the spectra. Remotely selectable absorber‐foil arrays provide selection of the energy range. Fixed and movable aperture arrays allow approximate equalization of count rates in different energy bands and extend dynamic range. Amplifier pulse shapes are approximately triangular. Main amplifier peaking time is 4 μs yielding 230‐eV FWHM at 5.9 keV. Pileup inspection times are selectable at 0.13, 0.4, or 0.9 μs. Throughput is up to 42 kHz. The PHA has been used to study temperature and impurities over a wide range of TFTR operational parameters. Dramatic variations in metal impurities with density, plasma current, and major radius have been observed.