Update on the construction of the Tokamak de Varennes.

Abstract

The Tokamak de Varennes, Canada's contribution to tokamak-oriented fusion research, is to begin experimental operation in the autumn of 1986. This paper gives the status of construction at the time of the conference (June,1986). The Tokamak de Varennes is a medium sized tokamak experiment whose scientific vocation is the investigation of plasma-wall interaction and surface studies in a long-pulse mode. It is this program which has been the determining factor in machine design, leading, for instance, to demountable toroidal field coils, to an elaborate power supply for the ohmic heating system, to complex internal structures, to a complicated cooling system. Presently, the power supplies and primary cooling system are installed and commissioning is beginning. As far as the actual experimental machine, the tokamak, is concerned, support structures are in place and some of the coils have been positioned. The vacuum vessel has been received and is being prepared for vacuum tests and installation. The critical path for machine assembly depends on coil delivery, expected to be completed in the beginning of July. Low power tests of the power supplies will proceed in parallel with assembly of the tokamak, to be followed by low power commissioning of the experiment and first plasma in the autumn of 1986.