The first measurement of plasma density by means of an interfero-polarimetric setup in a compact ECR-plasma trap

Abstract

This paper presents the first measurement of plasma density by a K-band microwave polarimetric setup able to measure the magnetoplasma-induced Faraday rotation in a compact size plasma trap. The polarimeter, based on rotating waveguide OMTs (OrthoModeTransducers), has been proven to provide reliable measurements of the plasma density even in the unfavorable conditions λp≈ Lp≈ Lc (being λp, Lp and Lc the probing signal wavelength, the plasma dimension and the plasma chamber length respectively) that complicates the measurements due to multi-patterns caused by reflections of the probing wave on the metallic walls of the plasma chamber. An analysis method has been developed on purpose in order to discriminate the polarization plane rotation due to magnetoplasma Faraday rotation only, excluding the effects of the cavity resonator. The measured density is consistent with the previous plasma density interferometric estimations. The developed method is a powerful tool for probing plasmas in very compact magnetic traps such as Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources and for in-plasma β-radionuclides' decay studies.