Plasma Diagnostics Required for a Heliotron-Type DEMO Reactor

Abstract

The plasma diagnostics required for a heliotron-type DEMO reactor are discussed in terms of real-time burn control and safe operation of the machine. The minimum diagnostic set having the smallest footprint are essential in DEMO. Neutron transport calculation suggests that the diagnostic components used in existing experiments will deteriorate immediately in a DEMO reactor hall if they are not protected by a neutron shield. Neutron energy spectrometry is a promising diagnostic that is expected to play an important role in diagnosing DEMO plasmas, providing a fusion energy output, fuel ion temperature, ratio of deuteron density n D to triton density n T , and velocity distribution of confined α particles.