J. Frieling

Bio: J. Frieling is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Plasma & Distribution function. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 165 citations.

Analytical approximation of cross-section effects on charge exchange spectra observed in hot fusion plasmas

Abstract: An analytical procedure is presented which enables a fast estimate of collision-energy-dependent cross-section effects on thermal charge exchange spectra. The model is based both on experimental evidence and numerical simulations showing that the observed charge exchange (CX) spectra are essentially Gaussian in their shape. The collision-energy-dependent emission rate leads effectively to a lineshift (apparent velocity), usually to a reduction in linewidth (apparent temperature), and to a change in the effective emission rate averaged over the entire thermal velocity distribution function. It is demonstrated that the cross-section effect can be treated analytically introducing an approximated emission rate factor which retains the characteristics of a Maxwellian velocity distribution function using an exponential expression with only linear and quadratic velocity terms in its exponent. An algebraic deconvolution procedure is described, which enables the reconstruction of true temperature, velocity and intensities from measured CX spectra. Examples taken from a recent JET experimental campaign are used to illustrate the cross-section effects on low-Z impurity CX spectra for a comprehensive variety of neutral beams (deuterium, tritium or helium), target densities, temperatures and toroidal rotation speeds. An overview is given of representative correction factors established for high-power, high-temperature plasmas, as well as for plasmas with combined neutral beam and radiofrequency heating, and for the case of locked modes.

Observation of alpha particle slowing-down spectra in JET helium beam fuelling and heating experiments

Abstract: The first experimental results are reported of anisotropic slowing-down features observed in JET helium beam fuelling experiments. Two independent observation ports, one with a view perpendicular to the magnetic field in the centre of the plasma and a second multichord viewing arrangement, approximately tangential to the toroidal field, provide radially and temporally resolved information on the velocity distribution function comprising the populations of both fast and thermalized alpha particles. The fuelling process is characterized by a change-over from a distinctly non-Maxwellian distribution function to a dominantly Maxwellian distribution and also by a broadening of the deduced fast ion density radial profile. The fast particle component in the observed composite charge exchange spectrum is found to be in excellent agreement with predictions are based on anisotropic velocity distribution functions obtained from the analytical solution of the neutral injection Fokker-Planck equation. Signal-to-noise levels in the measurement of fast alpha particle in the JET helium fuelling campaign are extrapolated to thermonuclear-fusion alpha particle density levels expected for the D-T phase of JET. It is shown that beam penetration and not competing continuum radiation is a major constraint, and that acceptable (hydrogen or helium) neutral beam power and energy requirements promise a feasible CX alpha particle diagnosis in the core of next-step devices such as ITER.

Investigation of thermal and slowing-down alpha-particles on jet using charge-exchange spectroscopy

Abstract: Thermal alpha particles are observed in JET during helium discharges using spectral emission in He II (n=4 to 3) near 4685 AA following charge transfer reactions along the path of the neutral deuterium heating beams. New and reappraised He22/H charge transfer cross-sections are presented. The effects of cross-section energy dependence on temperatures, velocities and absolute densities deduced from thermal alpha particle charge exchange spectra are evaluated. The possibility of detecting fusion alpha particles produced at 3.5 MeV and slowing down by collisions with plasma electrons and ions using visible charge exchange spectroscopy is addressed. The spectral signature of slowing-down fusion alpha particles expected during the deuterium-tritium phase of JET is modelled and its identification against thermal alpha particle and background radiation is investigated.

Linker-Improved Chimeric Endolysin Selectively Kills Staphylococcus aureus In Vitro, on Reconstituted Human Epidermis, and in a Murine Model of Skin Infection

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus causes a broad spectrum of diseases in humans and animals. It is frequently associated with inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, where it aggravates symptoms. ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus causes a broad spectrum of diseases in humans and animals. It is frequently associated with inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, where it aggravates symptoms. Treatment of S. aureus-associated skin infections with antibiotics is discouraged due to their broad-range deleterious effect on healthy skin microbiota and their ability to promote the development of resistance. Thus, novel S. aureus-specific antibacterial agents are desirable. We constructed two chimeric cell wall-lytic enzymes, Staphefekt SA.100 and XZ.700, which are composed of functional domains from the bacteriophage endolysin Ply2638 and the bacteriocin lysostaphin. Both enzymes specifically killed S. aureus and were inactive against commensal skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, with XZ.700 proving more active than SA.100 in multiple in vitro activity assays. When surface-attached mixed staphylococcal cultures were exposed to XZ.700 in a simplified microbiome model, the enzyme selectively removed S. aureus and retained S. epidermidis. Furthermore, XZ.700 did not induce resistance in S. aureus during repeated rounds of exposure to sublethal concentrations. Finally, we demonstrated that XZ.700 formulated as a cream is effective at killing S. aureus on reconstituted human epidermis and that an XZ.700-containing gel significantly reduces bacterial numbers compared to an untreated control in a mouse model of S. aureus-induced skin infection.

Atomic processes relevant to neutral beam based tokamak diagnostics

Abstract: Charge exchange and beam emission spectroscopy in magnetic confinement fusion plasmas are reviewed. The range of spectral phenomenology is illustrated from the JET tokamak using fast deuterium and helium beams. The helium observations are new. The atomic reactions concerned in the emission and their interplays are summarised. The state of cross‐section data for the analysis is briefly assessed.

Internal transport barriers in tokamak plasmas

Abstract: Internal transport barriers in tokamak plasmas are explored in order to improve confinement and stability beyond the reference scenario, used for the ITER extrapolation, and to achieve higher bootstrap current fractions as an essential part of non-inductive current drive. Internal transport barriers are produced by modifications of the current profile using external heating and current drive effects, often combined with partial freezing of the initial skin current profile. Thus, formerly inaccessible ion temperatures and QDTeq values have been (transiently) achieved. The present paper reviews the state of the art of these techniques and their effects on plasma transport in view of optimizing the confinement properties. Implications and limits for possible steady state operations and extrapolation to burning plasmas are discussed.

An overview of charge-exchange spectroscopy as a plasma diagnostic

Abstract: Charge-exchange spectroscopy in fusion plasmas entails the use of optical transitions that follow electron transfer from a neutral atom into an excited state of an impurity ion. In most applications, the sources of neutral particles are high-energy beams employed either for heating or for the specific purpose of active plasma diagnosis. The transitions following charge exchange are particularly useful for determining the densities of fully stripped low-Z ions and for measuring ion temperatures and plasma rotation, although they have also been exploited for other purposes. In this review, the atomic physics considerations for interpreting the data, including the influence of the plasma environment, are reviewed, and examples of recent applications to fusion studies are presented.

Edge radial electric field structure and its connections to H-mode confinement in Alcator C-Mod plasmas

Abstract: High-resolution charge-exchange recombination spectroscopic measurements of B5+ ions have enabled the first spatially resolved calculations of the radial electric field (Er) in the Alcator C-Mod pedestal region [E. S. Marmar, Fusion Sci. Technol. 51, 261 (2006)]. These observations offer new challenges for theory and simulation and provide for important comparisons with other devices. Qualitatively, the field structure observed on C-Mod is similar to that on other tokamaks. However, the narrow high-confinement mode (H-mode) Er well widths (5 mm) observed on C-Mod suggest a scaling with machine size, while the observed depths (up to 300 kV/m) are unprecedented. Due to the strong ion-electron thermal coupling in the C-Mod pedestal, it is possible to infer information about the main ion population in this region. The results indicate that in H-mode the main ion pressure gradient is the dominant contributor to the Er well and that the main ions have significant edge flow. C-Mod H-mode data show a clear correl...

Toroidal rotation in ICRF-heated H-modes on JET

Abstract: The first measurements of toroidal rotation of the bulk plasma during purely ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) heated H-modes on the JET tokamak are reported. Substantial toroidal acceleration in the direction of the plasma current occurs at the transition into H-mode. In the present paper the relationship between toroidal rotation and improved confinement of the H-mode is investigated. We conclude that the dominant driving mechanism for toroidal rotation is the ion pressure gradient.