Cherenkov-type diagnostics of fast electrons within tokamak plasmas

This paper presents a summary of the most important results of fast electron measurements performed so far within different tokamaks by means of Cherenkov-type detectors. In the ISTTOK tokamak (IPFN, IST, Lisboa, Portugal), two measuring heads were applied, each equipped with four radiators made of different types of alumina-nitrate poly-crystals. A two-channel measuring head equipped with diamond radiators was also used. Within the COMPASS tokamak (IPP AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic) some preliminary measurements have recently been performed by means of a new single-channel Cherenkov-type detector. The experimental data from the TORE SUPRA tokamak (CEA, IFRM, Cadarache, France), which were collected by means of a DENEPR-2 probe during two recent experimental campaigns, have been briefly analyzed. A new Cherenkov probe (the so-called DENEPR-3) has been mounted within the TORE SUPRA machine, but the electron measurements could not be performed because of the failure of this facility. Some conclusions concerning the fast electron emission are presented. (paper)