Space Potential Distribution in the ISX-B Tokamak

Abstract

Plasma potentials have been measured for the first time in neutral-beam-heated tokamak discharges, with a heavy-ion beam probe. Radial profiles of these potentials are presented for coinjection, counterinjection, and balanced injection, and for plasmas having only Ohmic heating. They are found to be very dependent on the direction of rotation with respect to the plasma current. They are also found qualitatively consistent with those inferred from radial momentum balance with use of the measured toroidal rotation velocity.