Precision timing and interlocks systems for FEL (free-electron laser) heating experiments on MTX (Microwave Tokamak Experiment)

A new precision timing system has been installed on the Microwave Tokamak Experiment (MTX) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The purpose of the system is to synchronize the tokamak's plasma discharge with a 140-GHz, 2-GW microwave pulse generated by a free-electron laser (FEL). The installation involved modifying the existing sequencer system and adding Digital delay generators, three in-house-designed CAMAC modules and other components. The system controls placement of the 30-ns FEL pulse during the MTX plasma discharge. It also provides precision triggers for the microwave plasma diagnostics. These triggers are distributed over 100-Mbit/s fiber-optic links. The MTX interlock system has been expanded to provide personnel safety during FEL experiments, to protect the FEL and related equipment, and to control the path of the FEL beam starting from the FEL's output, through the beam transport system, and into the tokamak. This paper describes how the existing MTX timing and interlocks systems were upgraded to accommodate these new FEL experiments. 4 refs., 4 figs.