Eugenio Schuster

Extremum-Seeking-Based Fluctuation Mitigation by ExB Actuation in HELCAT

Q. Wang, E. Schuster, M. Gilmore, S. Xie, A. Ware

IEEE Multi-conference on Systems and Control

Denver, Colorado, September 28-30, 2011

Abstract

We investigate active control of fluctuations via manipulation of flow profiles in a magnetized laboratory plasma device (HELCAT). Fluctuations and particle transport are monitored by electrostatic probes, and ExB flow profiles controlled via biased ring electrodes. A non-model-based optimization algorithm is implemented to seek control inputs that minimize a cost function related to the fluctuation amplitude. The algorithm is also able to identify radial poloidal flow profiles associated with specific levels of RMS fluctuations.

Research Funding

Prof. Schuster's research work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CAREER Award Program and the Basic Plasma Science Program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), national laboratories and private companies.