Development of a Vacuum Transfer System for Tokamak Plasma Impurity Studies

Abstract

<p> A surface station consisting of a sample manipulator and transfer system was developed to allow the study of plasma - first wall interactions in ALCATOR at M.I.T. A disc shaped probe is located at the plasma edge and rotated past an aperture in a shield to obtain time resolved data. Samples can be analysed in situ or transported under vacuum to McMaster University. The transfer process from the surface station to the 'vacuum suitcase' is accomplished by means of pressure locks.</p>