Measurement of magnetic field strengths in the Mirror Fusion Test Facility using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques

The production of the proper magnetic field profile is fundamental to plasma confinement in magnetic mirror systems. The knowledge of this profile is important for the control of a variety of physical processes which affect particle confinement, including thermal barrier and potential well formation. A system of probes using the nuclear magnetic resonance of protons in magnetic fields is used to measure the field strengths at various points in the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF-B). The system operates at high fields (1-12 T) with significant nonuniformity (≤ 1.5 T/m) by taking advantage of the phenomenon of spin echo. In addition, the probes can operate in the MFTF-B environment where low temperature capability and remote operation is necessary. These probes have been tested with laboratory magnets to develop an engineering model which relates probe signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio to probe parameters and magnetic field strengths and gradients. Engineering design formula and techniques are presented as well as data from laboratory test stands