Millimeter-wave backscatter diagnostic for the study of short scale length plasma fluctuations (invited)

Abstract

The development, laboratory tests, and experimental results relating to a new high-k diagnostic technique for the study of short scale length turbulence are reported. The system is based on backscattering of a millimeter-wave (94GHz) probe beam by density fluctuations within the plasma. This diagnostic has been fully integrated with an upgraded far-infrared forward scattering system on the DIII-D tokamak. The combined system monitors a broad turbulent spectral range from 0to40cm−1. Short-scale (e.g., electron temperature gradient scale) modes as well as longer wavelength (e.g., ion temperature gradient and trapped electron mode scale) instabilities are simultaneously monitored to accurately characterize plasma turbulence. The backscattering geometry and innovative use of the second harmonic electron cyclotron resonance as an internal “beam dump” allow detection of small level fluctuations at high k, while maximizing discrimination against the ubiquitous, larger level, low-k fluctuations.