Theoretical Assessment of Plasma Current Measurement in Tokamaks in Relation with the OTDR Detector Noise

Ratislav Motuz, E. Gescheidtova, Willem Leysen, P.J. Moreau, Andrei Goussarov, Petr Drexler, Marc Wuilpart

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis of the plasma current measurement in tokamak-type fusion reactors using a Polarization Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (POTDR) setup, where the general case of non-uniform distribution of a magnetic field along the sensing fibre is analyzed. A low birefringent fibre has been considered as the sensing fibre. The numerical simulations were based on the Jones formalism and take into account the OTDR detector noise reflecting the measurement error as a function of the plasma current. The measurement performance was evaluated for an ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)-relevant sensor configuration. Based on the simulation results we demonstrate that for plasma currents in the range of 0 to 1 MA, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 6 dB, achievable in modern POTDRs, complies with the ITER requirements. Subsequently, the SNR level of 4 dB satisfies the plasma current range of 1 to 20 MA.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2019 PhotonIcs & Electromagnetics Research Symposium - Spring (PIERS-Spring)
    PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
    Pages1-5
    Number of pages5
    ISBN (Print)978-1-7281-3403-1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2 Mar 2020
    Event2019 - PhotonIcs & Electromagnetics Research Symposium: Spring (PIERS — SPRING) - University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome
    Duration: 17 Jun 201920 Jun 2019
    http://piers.org/piers2019Rome/

    Conference

    Conference2019 - PhotonIcs & Electromagnetics Research Symposium
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityRome
    Period2019-06-172019-06-20
    Internet address

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