Abstract
Dispersion interferometry (DI) is being employed on an increasing number of fusion experiments to measure the plasma density with a minimal sensitivity to vibrations. DIs employed in high-density experiments use phase modulation techniques up to several hundred kilohertz to enable quadrature detection and to be unaffected by variations of the signal amplitude. However, the evaluation of the temporal interferogram can be a significant source for phase errors and does not have an established processing method. There are two non-approximation-based methods currently in use: one using the ratio of amplitudes in the signal's Fourier spectrum and the other using its sectioned integration. Previously, the methods could not be used simultaneously since they differ in their respective calibration point. In this paper, we present a technique to use both phase evaluation methods simultaneously using quadrature correction methods. A comparison of their strengths and weaknesses is presented based on identical measurements indicating one to be more reliable in a more static measurement scenario, while the other excels in highly dynamic ones. Several comparative experiments are presented, which identify a significant error source in the phase measurement induced by polarization rotation. Since the same effect may be induced by Faraday rotation, the results may have direct consequence on the design of the ITER dispersion interferometer/polarimeter as well as the European DEMO's interferometer concept.
Highlights
Interferometry is the primary density control diagnostic for fusion machines in the world.1–7 The technique’s primary advantage is its simplicity
The simultaneous usage of two distinctly different phase evaluation methods offers the possibility to investigate constellation errors seen at Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) in previous campaigns
To compare the simultaneous usage of both phase evaluation methods, the raw data acquired by the integral electron density dispersion interferometer (IEDDI) diagnostic at W7-X was reevaluated
Summary
Interferometry is the primary density control diagnostic for fusion machines in the world. The technique’s primary advantage is its simplicity. The effect of vibrations on the geometric path length has been mostly eliminated using advanced techniques, such as dispersion interferometry (DI) or the well-established two-color interferometry For these reasons, even future large-scale machines plan to use interferometry for real-time density control.. A dispersion interferometer (DI) is a diagnostic variant of the interferometer principle, which employs frequency doubling crystals (FDC) to create collinear coherent beams of differing wavelength.10 This in turn results in highly efficient compensation of phase changes induced by geometric path length changes. The second is related to the orientation of the FDCs and affects both phase evaluation methods Iint ∝ J0(ρ) cos(ΦP + Φ0), Qint ∝ −H0(ρ) sin(ΦP + Φ0)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
