Plasma mass density, species mix, and fluctuation diagnostics using a fast Alfvén wave

Abstract

We propose use of a fast Alfvén wave interferometer and reflectometer as a tokamak diagnostic to measure the plasma mass density, D–T species mix profile, and density fluctuations. Utilizing the property that the phase velocity of the fast wave propagating across the magnetic field is the Alfvén speed with thermal correction, this fast wave interferometer on the DIII-D tokamak was successfully used to obtain the line integrated density. Since the position of the ion–ion hybrid cutoff in tokamaks is uniquely determined by the species mix ratio and wave frequency, the reflectometer arrangement finds the species mix profile. The inversion method of reflectometry is discussed. The multiple chord interferometer also measures the mass density fluctuation profile.