Performance of Alcator C-Mod core Thomson scattering system

Design of the Alcator C-Mod Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic is discussed and the results of the measurements are presented. The TS system has six spatial channels with observation volumes evenly distributed between the midplane and the edge of the plasma. Each channel is capable of measuring the electron density in the range N-e = 5 X 10(19) - 5 X 10(21) m(-3) and temperature from T-e = 200 eV to 10 keV. A 30 Hz, 1.5 J per pulse Nd-YAG laser is employed allowing the measurements of evolution of T-e and N-e profiles during plasma shot. A laser beam position control and feedback system provides for the beam alignment stability and reliable electron density measurements. Examples of the core density and temperature profiles measured at different stages of the plasma evolution are discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(99)64001-1].