WHAM Flux Loop Redesign for High-Temperature, Low-Vibration Diagnostics in Ti-Gettering Conditions

The Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) experiment is a magnetic confinement fusion device designed to advance mirror plasma physics for future mirror confinement fusion reactors. Upcoming titanium-gettering operations will create challenging high-temperature environments that require robust diagnostic systems. The flux loop diagnostic was redesigned to be compatible with this hot environment (temperatures above 300 Celsius), to reduce vibrational noise (amplitudes below 5 um), and to be installed through a smaller diameter port (60 cm OD through a 36 cm ID). Two design solutions were reached: one using ceramic insulation within stainless steel tubing, and the second using mineral insulated cable. The engineering strategies, failures, and test results validating this diagnostic platform for future high temperature mirror machines will be presented.