Initial results from the scoop limited experiment in PDX(a).

A particle scoop limiter with a graphite face backed by a 50 liter volume for collecting particles was used in PDX. Experiments were performed to test its particle control and power handling capabilities with up to 5 MW of D(o) power injected into D (+) plasmas. Line average plasma densities up to 7 x 10(13) cm(-3) and currents up to 440 kA were obtained. Plasma densities in the scoop channels greater than 2 x 10(13) cm(-3) and neutral densities in the scoop volume greater than 5 x 10(14)cm(-3) were observed. There is evidence that recycling may have occurred in the scoop channels for several discharges with large line-averaged plasma density.