A Doppler backscattering (DBS) diagnostic has recently been installed on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable (TCV) to facilitate the study of edge turbulence and flow shear in a versatile experimental environment. The dual channel V-band DBS system is coupled to TCV’s quasi-optical diagnostic launcher, providing access to the upper low-field side region of the plasma cross-section. Verifications of the DBS measurements are presented. The DBS equilibrium profiles are found to compare favorably with gas puff imaging (GPI) measurements and to the inferred from the radial force balance of the carbon impurity. The radial structure of the edge equilibrium flow and its dependencies are investigated across a representative set of L-mode TCV discharges, by varying density, auxiliary heating and magnetic configuration.
This paper explores the use of Doppler backscattering (DBS) to study the edge turbulence and flow shear in the Tokamak à Configuration Variable (TCV) device. The DBS measurements are validated and compared to other diagnostics, revealing the radial structure of the edge electric field and its dependencies on factors like density and heating.