Search
Menu
Meadowlark Optics - SEE WHAT

Large Lenses Enable Fusion Research

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
OXFORDSHIRE, England, March 17, 2010 — The largest lenses ever produced for a fusion research facility are being used to measure plasma density and temperatures up to 23 million ºC inside the MegaAmp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) experiment at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). Supplied by Spanoptic Ltd. of Glenrothes, Scotland, the six lenses collect light scattered from laser beams fired into the tokamak, a technique known as Thomson scattering.

Measuring plasma properties such as temperature and density is one of the most challenging aspects of fusion research. The Thomson scattering diagnostic is based on measuring electron velocity distribution from the Doppler shift of light scattered by the electrons. This scattering process has a very small cross section, so, to get enough scattered photons, a very intense, short-pulse laser light source and large lenses are needed.


Collection lens on MegaAmp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) supplied by Spanoptic Ltd. (Copyright: Monty Rakusen)

Completed in September 2009, MAST’s Thomson scattering laser diagnostic is the world’s leading system of its type, generating 30,000 measurements during each plasma pulse, to give UK physicists unprecedented insights into the behavior of fusion plasmas. The upgrade was partly funded by the University of York and the Northern Way collaboration of regional development agencies.

Manufacturing the six collection lenses presented significant technical challenges, not least the size – at up to 450 mm in diameter. Producing durable, radiation-hardened optics that will retain their performance in the extreme conditions close to the tokamak was another exacting requirement.

“The specifications for the lenses were extremely demanding, as high-precision optics are essential to gather the data we’re looking for,” said Martin Dunstan of CCFE. “The new system is working well and we’re continually amazed by the results we’ve been getting so far.” 

“The lenses are some of the largest optics manufactured by Spanoptic; the manufacturing process involved a combination of modern CNC machining, traditional manufacturing and inspection techniques,” said Richard Green of Spanoptic. 

For more information, visit: www.ccfe.ac.uk  


Rocky Mountain Instruments - Custom Assemblies MR

Published: March 2010
Glossary
fusion
1. The combination of the effects of two or more stimuli in any given sense to form a single sensation. With respect to vision, the perception of continuous illumination formed by the rapid successive presentation of light flashes at a specified rate. 2. The transition of matter from solid to liquid form. 3. With respect to atomic or nuclear fusion, the combination of atomic nuclei, under extreme heat, to form a heavier nucleus.
plasma
A gas made up of electrons and ions.
thomson scattering
The scattering of electromagnetic waves by free electrons, whereby the incident radiation and the scattered radiation are of the same wavelength.
CCFECulham Centre for Fusion EnergydensityenergyEuropefusionImagingindustriallensesMartin DunstanMASTMegaAmp Spherical TokamakOpticsplasmaResearch & TechnologyRichard GreenSpanoptic Ltd.temperatureTest & MeasurementThomson scatteringtokamakUniversity of YorkLasers

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.