MAST
MAST research updates
Updates from the MAST fusion experiment at Culham, including reports on research progress and machine enhancements.
Autumn 2011
The M8 experimental campaign has resumed after a month-long break to fix a fault with the solenoid coil connections. Despite this interruption, studies have been advancing in a range of fields.
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Summer 2011
MAST's 2011 experimental campaign is now well underway. Despite some technical problems and limited high power neutral beam heating operation, progress has been made in a number of areas.
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Spring 2011
MAST is now back in operation. Restart activities are almost complete and the main physics programme will soon be underway.
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Winter 2010/11
The engineering break to install new MAST diagnostics was completed and signed off at the end of November 2010. Commissioning began on 19 January and high power experiments are expected to restart in early May 2011.
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Autumn 2010
MAST's engineering break is progressing well and is close to the original schedule. The engineering break is expected to finish in late November, with experiments resuming in early 2011.
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Summer 2010
First results have been gained from MAST's new neutron camera and the initial data looks promising. A new 2D beam emission spectroscopy system, developed in collaboration with RMKI Hungary, has also tested and delivered to Culham for installation. The facility is now in an engineering break until November 2010.
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Spring 2010
Spring 2010
Recent experiments have exploited new systems for disruption mitigation and Thomson scattering. Work has continued to increase power from neutral beam heating injectors and improvements have been made to the system for excitation of Toroidal Alfven Eigenmodes.
Winter 2009/10
Researchers have gained their first results using MAST's upgraded Thomson scattering diagnostic, and the first experiments have been conducted using a new disruption mitigation system. The current campaign has been extended until April 2010, when a major engineering break will start.
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Autumn 2009
A range of new systems have been installed on MAST, including an improved Thomson scattering system and 28GHz gyrotron. Plasmas have restarted and the current experimental campaign will run until December 2009.
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