Wire calorimeter for direct neutral beam power measurements on C-2W

Abstract

The C-2W experiment produces advanced beam-driven field reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas, which are sustained in steady state utilizing variable energy neutral beams (15-40 keV, total power up to 21 MW), advanced divertors, end bias electrodes, and an active plasma control system. Since heating, current drive, and refueling from neutral beam injection are essential to FRC sustainment, it is crucial to have accurate measurements of the beam power being injected into the plasma. A new tungsten wire calorimeter has been designed, built, calibrated on a test stand, and implemented to make the first direct measurements of the time-average injected beam power into C-2W. This paper outlines the design of the diagnostic, along with calibration methods and experimental results.