The high resolution video capture system on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

A new system for routine digitization of video images is presently operating on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. The PC-based system features high resolution video capture, storage, and retrieval. The captured images are stored temporarily on the PC, but are eventually written to CD. Video is captured from one of five filtered RS-170 CCD cameras at 30 frames per second (fps) with 640x480 pixel resolution. In addition, the system can digitize the output from a filtered Kodak Ektapro FM Digital Camera which captures images at 1000 fps with 239x192 resolution. Present views of this set of cameras include a wide angle and a tangential view of the plasma, two high resolution views of gas puff capillaries embedded in the plasma facing components, and a view of ablating, high speed Li pellets. The system is being used to study (1) the structure and location of visible emissions (including MARFEs) from the main plasma and divertor, (2) asymmetries in gas puff plumes due to flows in the scrape-off layer (SOL), and (3) the tilt and cigar-shaped spatial structure of the Li pellet ablation cloud. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.