Fast radial scanning probe system on KTX

Abstract: A fast radial scanning probe system was constructed for the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX) to measure the profiles of boundary plasma parameters such as floating potential, electron density, temperature, transport fluxes, etc. The scanning probe system is driven by slow and fast motion mechanisms, corresponding to the stand-by movement of a stepping motor and the fast scanning movement of a high-torque servo-motor, respectively. In fast scanning, the scanner drives the probe radially up to 20 cm at a maximum velocity of 4.0 m s⁻¹. A noncontact magnetic grating ruler with a high spatial resolution of 5 μm is used for the displacement measurement. New scanning probe can reach the center of plasmas rapidly. The comparison of plasma floating potential profiles obtained by a fixed radial rake probe and the single scanning probe suggests that the high-speed scanning probe system is reliable for measuring edge plasma parameter profiles on the KTX device.