ITER ECE front-end design, alignment and in-situ calibration
Abstract
The electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostics suite at ITER utilizes a front-end quasi-optical (QO) system whose design is fundamentally constrained by a field-stop concept. The field-stop defines the Gaussian beam variation throughout the optical system and within the plasma, thereby setting the ECE sampling volume and spatial resolution. An in-situ hot calibration source, optimized using Gaussian beam transmission criteria, provides independent and absolute electron temperature measurements. The QO system extends beyond the front-end to include the polarization splitter unit (PSU), transmission lines, and switchyard, forming an integrated optical path to the ECE instruments. Misalignment between the front-end and PSU reduces the effective field-stop size, degrading spatial resolution and measurement fidelity. The oblique ECE view, a key feature of the ITER design, enhances sensitivity to non-thermal electron populations and complements the diagnosis of neoclassical tearing modes. Integrated QO design and plasma physics understanding are essential for reliable ITER ECE measurements.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2605.27089,
title = {ITER ECE front-end design, alignment and in-situ calibration},
author = {Saeid Houshmandyar and W. L. Rowan and J. P. Ziegel and A. Ouroua},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.27089},
year = {2026}
}