RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN MICROWAVE IMAGING PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS

Abstract

Significant advances in microwave and millimeter wave technology over the past decade have enabled the development of a new generation of imaging diagnostics for current and envisioned magnetic fusion devices. Prominent among these are microwave electron cyclotron emission imaging, microwave phase imaging interferometers, imaging microwave scattering, and microwave imaging reflectometer systems for imaging T-e and n(e) fluctuations (both turbulent and coherent) and profiles (including, transport barriers) on toroidal devices such as tokamaks, spherical tori, and stellarators. The diagnostic technology is reviewed, and typical diagnostic systems are analyzed. Representative experimental results obtained with these novel diagnostic systems are also presented. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.