Neutral helium He I λ 728.1 nm $(2\mathrm{}{}^{1}P-3{}^{1}S)$ and λ 667.8 nm $(2\mathrm{}{}^{1}P-3{}^{1}D)$ emission lines have been observed with an array of optical fibers that cover the entire poloidal cross section of the plasma. The Zeeman profile yields a magnetic field strength, and the locations of the emission regions are identified on the well-established map of the magnetic field of the plasma. It is found that the emission region forms a closed zone just outside the region, the so-called “ergodic layer,” where the magnetic field line structure is chaotic. A collisional-radiative model calculation for an inward atom flux suggests a peaked emission profile of about 3.5 cm in full width at half maximum, and this is consistent with the experimental result. The inward atom flux is found to decay before reaching the last closed flux surface and this implies a screening effect of the ergodic layer.

• Received 11 June 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.026401