High-resolution gamma ray spectroscopy measurements of the fast ion energy distribution in JET He-4 plasmas

High-resolution gamma-ray measurements were carried out on the Joint European Torus (JET) in an experiment aimed at accelerating He-4 ions in the MeV range by coupling third harmonic radio frequency heating to an injected He-4 beam. For the first time, Doppler broadening of gamma-ray peaks from the C-12(d, p gamma)C-13 and Be-9(alpha, n gamma)C-12 reactions was observed and interpreted with dedicated Monte Carlo codes based on the detailed nuclear physics of the processes. Information on the confined He-4 and deuteron energy distribution was inferred, and confined He-4 ions with energies as high as 6 MeV were assessed. A signature of MHD activity in gamma-ray traces was also detected. The reported results have a bearing on diagnostics for fast ions in the MeV range in next step fusion devices.