Combined analysis of laser interferometer and microwave reflectometer for a consistent electron density profile on HL-2A

Abstract

In order to acquire a consistent and accurate electron density profile for HL-2A tokamak, a combined analysis of the laser interferometer and microwave reflectometer based on the mapping of density profiles to a common equilibrium magnetic coordinate has been proposed. In this approach, the edge density profile measured locally by microwave reflectometer is taken as a supplementary boundary condition in the procedure of inverting line-integrated data from interferometer diagnostic. The density profile inside that boundary is reconstructed by a Gaussian Process Tomography (GPT) method [1] within the Bayesian framework, by which the uncertainty of the result can be quantified via the confidence interval of a posterior probability. In the simulation benchmark, two representative cases of density distribution with different profile shapes, e.g. peaked and flat, are tested and the factors that may affect the accuracy of the results are investigated, providing a useful reference for practical applications. The application of this approach to actual data proves its ability to resolve the dynamic evolution of density profiles. Specifically, the effect of Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) on electron particle transport observed in HL-2A experiments has been confirmed. The combined analysis approach developed is expected to provide a robust means to study the confinement performance and particle transport on HL-2A, with the focus on the core region.