The Use of X-Ray Diagnostics in Plasma Control

Plasma control is normally performed using analogue signals from magnetics diagnostics. However, with the increase in performance of digital signal processors (DSPs) more use is being made of digital systems for plasma control. For the pumped divertor phase of JET a new VME based Plasma Position and Current Control system (PPCC) was developed1. PPCC consists of two separate subsystems; the first for vertical stabilisation of the plasma position (VS), the second for plasma shape and current control (SC)2.