Installation of a fast framing visible camera on KSTAR

Area of Science:

• Fusion energy research
• Plasma physics diagnostics

Background:

• Visible camera technology has advanced significantly, enabling new diagnostic tools.
• Fast cameras are valuable for studying transient fusion plasma phenomena like disruptions and plasma-wall interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, install, and test a fast framing camera system on the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device.
• To evaluate the camera's performance and safety in the high magnetic field environment of a tokamak.

Main Methods:

• Installation of a fast framing camera with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor detector on the KSTAR tokamak.
• Utilized a 2-m-long viewport with a novel optical rail system for internal tokamak viewing.
• Conducted theoretical and experimental analyses to assess the impact of magnetic fields on camera electronics.

Main Results:

• The fast camera system was successfully installed and is controllable from the main control room.
• The camera offers high resolution (up to 1280x1024) and variable frame rates (up to 64 kfps).
• Initial assessments indicate the camera electronics are safe from magnetic field variations.

Conclusions:

• The new fast camera system enhances diagnostic capabilities for KSTAR's fusion plasma research.
• The system's design and safety considerations are crucial for reliable operation in a tokamak environment.
• This advanced imaging tool will contribute to a better understanding of fusion plasma physics.