Four-channel ZnS scintillator measurements of escaping tritons in TFTR

A four-channel scintillation detector capable of measuring tritons, protons, and alphas escaping from a tokamak plasma was operated during the 1986 run period of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). Signals consistent with the expected 1-MeV triton behavior have been observed during deuterium operation. Backgrounds associated with neutrons/gammas and soft x rays have been evaluated in situ and are shown to be at the ≊10%–20% level for the present detector. Such a detector is capable of measuring escaping alphas in deuterium-tritium-fueled tokamaks such as TFTR.