Spatially resolved electron cyclotron heated plasmas using novel matrix-type X-ray semiconductor–detector arrays

Temporally and spatially resolved X-ray analyses are carried out by using novel matrix-type X-ray semiconductor detector arrays in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The detector array has seven “matrix columns” for the measurements of plasma X-ray profiles so as to make X-ray tomographic reconstructions. Further, six “matrix rows” having various dead layer thicknesses are fabricated as “unbreakable ultra-thin X-ray absorption filters” for simultaneous analyses of six different X-ray energy ranges. The characteristics of the detector array make it possible to obtain spatially resolved plasma electron temperatures down to a few tens of eV and investigate various magnetohydrodynamic activities during a single-plasma discharge alone. Several applications including investigations of electron energy confinement during a period with central-cell electron cyclotron heatings are made with the novel position sensitive semiconductor arrays.