Cross-polarization Scattering Research Articles

Quasi-optical design for the cross-polarization scattering diagnostic on the HL-3 tokamak.

As the plasma beta (β) increases in high-performance tokamaks, electromagnetic turbulence becomes more significant, potentially constraining their operational range. To investigate this turbulence, a cross-polarization scattering (CPS) diagnostic system is being developed on the HL-3 tokamak for simultaneous measurements of density and magnetic fluctuations. In this work, a quasi-optical system has been designed and analyzed for the Q-band CPS diagnostic. The system includes a lens group for beam waist size optimization, a rotatable wire-grid polarizer for polarization adjustment, and a reflector group for measurement range regulation and system response enhancement. Laboratory tests demonstrated a beam radius of order 4cm at the target measurement location (near the plasma pedestal), cross-polarization isolation exceeding 30 dB, and poloidal and toroidal angle adjustment ranges of ±40° and ±15°, respectively. These results verify the system's feasibility through laboratory evaluations. The quasi-optical system has been installed on the HL-3 tokamak during the 2023 experimental campaign to support the development of CPS diagnostics.

Ray-tracing analysis for combined Doppler backscattering and cross-polarization scattering diagnostic on the HL-2M tokamak.

To measure plasma density and magnetic fluctuations on the HL-2M tokamak simultaneously, a new diagnostic system combining Doppler backscattering (DBS) and cross-polarization scattering (CPS) is under development. It is essential to understand the propagation of injected and scattered rays to support the electronic/quasi-optical design and subsequent interpretation of the detected signals of the multi-channel DBS/CPS measurements. Thus, ray-tracing analysis with the axisymmetric ray-tracing code BORAY has been performed to estimate the scattering location and wavenumbers of the density and magnetic fluctuations. In addition, the influence of accordance between toroidal and poloidal launch angles is investigated. The received DBS/CPS signal quality can be improved by matching the parallel wavenumber in the direction of magnetic field lines.

Design of the cross-polarization scattering diagnostic on the HL-2A tokamak

A new cross-polarization scattering (CPS) diagnostic has been developed on HL-2A, which aims to measure the local magnetic fluctuation inside the plasma. It is based on the scattering of an incident microwave beam into the perpendicular polarization by magnetic fluctuations. The CPS diagnostic has been designed in the Q-band (33–50 GHz), which consists of the electronic system, quasi-optical, and polarization rejector. The ray-tracing code is used to simulate the propagation of the probe and scattered rays. To test the performance of the quasi-optical system, a 3D test platform is built and detailed test results are shown. Two methods are developed for polarization rejector on HL-2A: wire grid polarizer and dual-polarized horn antenna (DPHA). The laboratory test result shows that the polarization rejection of both methods is better than 30 dB, which meets the needs for magnetic fluctuation detection. In the future, the CPS diagnosis will be used to study the electromagnetic turbulence behavior in the high-performance plasma of the HL-2A tokamak.

The cross-polarization scattering system for the magnetic fluctuation measurement in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.

The cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for magnetic fluctuation measurements in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has been designed and installed. Different from the Doppler reflectometer (DR) system, the CPS system detects the perpendicular polarization of the electromagnetic wave induced by magnetic fluctuations B̃. The CPS system in the EAST has been developed from the existing Doppler reflectometer system, and they are integrated together for simultaneous measurement of magnetic and density fluctuations. Ray-tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering locations and the wavenumber coverage of the magnetic fluctuation for CPS. In the experiments, the CPS and DR system data were different in Doppler shift, amplitude, and spectrum broadening. In this article, the hardware design, the ray tracing, and the preliminary results of the system in the EAST are presented.

Combination Doppler backscattering/cross-polarization scattering diagnostic for the C-2W field-reversed configuration.

A versatile combination Doppler backscattering and Cross-Polarization Scattering (CPS) diagnostic for the C-2W beam-driven field-reversed configuration is described. This system is capable of measuring density fluctuations and perpendicular magnetic field fluctuations across a wide wavenumber range (2.5 ≤ k θ ρ s ≤ 50), with typical resolution Δk θ/k θ ≤ 0.4-0.8. Four tunable frequencies (26 GHz ≤ f ≤ 60 GHz corresponding to plasma cut-off densities 0.8 × 1019 ≤ n e ≤ 4.4 × 1019 m-3) are launched via quasi-optical beam combiners/polarizers and an adjustable parabolic focusing mirror selecting the beam incidence angle. GENRAY ray tracing shows that the incident O-mode and backscattered CPS X-mode beam trajectories for C-2W plasma parameters nearly overlap, allowing simultaneous detection of ñ and B̃ r or B̃ θ from essentially the same scattering volume.

First step toward a synthetic diagnostic for magnetic fluctuation measurements using cross-polarization scattering on DIII-D

Cross-polarization scattering (CPS) provides localized magnetic fluctuation ( ) measurements in fusion plasmas based on the process where scatters electromagnetic radiation into the orthogonal polarization. The CPS system on DIII-D utilizes the probe beam of a Doppler backscattering (DBS) diagnostic combined with a cross-view CPS receiver system, which allows simultaneous density and measurements with good spatial and wavenumber coverage. The interpretation of the signals is challenging due to the complex plasma propagation of the DBS probe beam and CPS receive beams. A synthetic diagnostic for CPS is therefore essential to interpret data and perform detailed validation tests of non-linear turbulence simulations. This work reports a first step toward a synthetic diagnostic for CPS utilizing GENRAY, a 3-D ray tracing code, to simulate the propagation of the probe and scattered rays. The local wavenumber is calculated from the local O- and X-mode wavenumbers using the wave vector matching scattering condition. The CPS wavenumber values and spatial locations are determined by a complex consideration that includes the local density and level, receive antenna pattern and orientation, scattering volume, wavenumber values detected at the various scattering centers, and alignment of the magnetic wave vector with the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. The issue of a spurious CPS signal due to polarization mismatches for launch and receive is also discussed. It is suggested that simultaneous O- and X-mode DBS measurements should be utilized for better understanding of the CPS signal contamination when the cutoff locations for both polarizations are close.

Optimized quasi-optical cross-polarization scattering system for the measurement of magnetic turbulence on the DIII-D tokamak.

Simulations and laboratory tests are used to design and optimize a quasi-optical system for cross-polarization scattering (CPS) measurements of magnetic turbulence on the DIII-D tokamak. The CPS technique uses a process where magnetic turbulence scatters electromagnetic radiation into the perpendicular polarization enabling a local measurement of the perturbing magnetic fluctuations. This is a challenging measurement that addresses the contribution of magnetic turbulence to anomalous thermal transport in fusion research relevant plasmas. The goal of the new quasi-optical design is to demonstrate the full spatial and wavenumber capabilities of the CPS diagnostic. The approach used consists of independently controlled and in vacuo aiming systems for the probe and scattered beams (55-75 GHz).

Simultaneous measurement of magnetic and density fluctuations via cross-polarization scattering and Doppler backscattering on the DIII-D tokamak.

An upgraded cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for the simultaneous measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations B̃ and density fluctuations ñ is presented. The system has eight radial quadrature channels acquired simultaneously with an eight-channel Doppler backscattering system (measures density fluctuations ñ and flows). 3-D ray tracing calculations based on the GENRAY ray tracing code are used to illustrate the scattering and geometric considerations involved in the CPS implementation on DIII-D. A unique quasi-optical design and IF electronics system allow direct comparison of B̃ and ñ during dynamic or transient plasma events (e.g., Edge Localized Modes or ELMs, L to H-mode transitions, etc.). The system design allows the interesting possibility of both magnetic-density (B̃-ñ) fluctuation and magnetic-temperature (B̃-T̃) fluctuation cross-phase measurements suitable for detailed tests of turbulence simulations.

Development of a cross-polarization scattering system for the measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations in the DIII-D tokamak.

The design and performance of a new cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for the localized measurement of internal magnetic fluctuations is presented. CPS is a process whereby magnetic fluctuations scatter incident electromagnetic radiation into a perpendicular polarization which is subsequently detected. A new CPS design that incorporates a unique scattering geometry was laboratory tested, optimized, and installed on the DIII-D tokamak. Plasma tests of signal-to-noise, polarization purity, and frequency response indicate proper functioning of the system. CPS data show interesting features related to internal MHD perturbations known as sawteeth that are not observed on density fluctuations.

Theory of Cross-Polarization Scattering at the Upper Hybrid Resonance

A study is made of the cross-polarization scattering by magnetic field fluctuations and the resulting conversion of an extraordinary wave into an ordinary wave in the vicinity of the upper hybrid resonance. It is shown that the scattering efficiency increases with decreasing fluctuation wavelength. It is also demonstrated that the accompanying spurious signal from the cross-polarization scattering by density fluctuations is suppressed.

Measurement of cross-polarization scattering using ultrashort pulse microwaves

A numerical simulation of cross-polarization scattering (CPS) was performed by using frequency dependent finite difference time domain [(FD)2TD] method. In the CPS process, an incident ordinary (extraordinary) wave is converted to an extraordinary (ordinary) wave by magnetic fluctuations in a plasma. It is confirmed in the simulation that an incident wave propagates in an anisotropic dispersive media properly. The relation between scattered electric field and magnetic fluctuations is also obtained.

Cross-polarization scattering from low-frequency electromagnetic waves in the GAMMA10 tandem mirror

A cross-polarization scattering (CPS) diagnostic method was applied to the GAMMA10 tandem mirror in order to study electromagnetic plasma waves with frequency less than 10 MHz. In the CPS process, an incident ordinary (extraordinary) wave is converted to an extraordinary (ordinary) wave by magnetic fluctuations in a plasma. The frequency spectra, and the density and magnetic fluctuations of the waves can be evaluated from both the CPS and reflectometry. The converted wave propagates through the cutoff layer and reaches a different diagnostic port with a receiver horn. The observed waves are identified as the electromagnetic drift wave assuming the wave number matching condition. The low frequency waves nonlinearly coupled with the Alfven ion cyclotron waves are also observed with increase in the plasma pressure.

Internal magnetic fluctuations and electron heat transport in the Tore Supra tokamak: Observation by cross-polarization scattering

Magnetic fluctuations (radial size ≈ 5 mm) are measured by a cross polarization scattering (CPS) diagnostic in Tore Supra. In the scenario O + B̃ → X, only the poloidal component of the magnetic fluctuations is measured, while both the radial and the poloidal component are measured in the scenario X + B̃ → O. These fluctuations are investigated quantitatively in the ohmic and low confinement regimes over a wide range of plasma currents, densities and additional heating powers. At the same time, the electron heat diffusivities expected from these fluctuations are compared with those obtained by profile analysis. Three main results are obtained: (a) The radial profile of the poloidal magnetic fluctuations in the gradient region (0.3 < r/a < 0.7) is established from these measurements. The magnetic fluctuation levels are found to increase towards the plasma edge, and this feature is compatible with that of electron heat diffusivity. (b) A strong correlation between the measured magnetic turbulence and the local temperature gradient is observed during the additional heating. (c) The local electron heat diffusivity induced by magnetic fluctuations is estimated using the non-collisional quasi-linear formula χmage = πqRvth(δBr/B)2, where the radial component of the magnetic turbulence is assumed to be of the same order as the poloidal component. Both the order of magnitude and the parametric dependence of χmage show similarities with electron diffusivities determined by transport analysis. In particular, a threshold is observed for the dependence of fluctuation induced heat fluxes on the local temperature gradient, which is close to the critical gradient observed for the measured heat fluxes.

Measurement of magnetic fluctuations of electromagnetic plasma waves by cross-polarization scattering

The cross-polarization scattering (CPS) technique was applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror for measurements of internal magnetic fluctuations associated with waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequency. The CPS is related to the mode-conversion effect consisting of a polarization difference of a scattered wave with regard to an incident wave. In GAMMA 10, the incident ordinary (extraordinary) wave is transferred to the extraordinary (ordinary) wave by magnetic field fluctuations near the cutoff layer of a plasma. The transferred wave penetrates through the cutoff layer and is detected. The frequency spectra and density and magnetic field fluctuations of the waves are evaluated from the CPS diagnostic and reflectometry. The ratio of the magnetic field to density fluctuation level depends on the phase velocity of the slow Alfvén wave. The CPS data are also compared with those obtained from magnetic probes.

Internal magnetic turbulence measurement in plasma by cross polarization scattering.

For the first time, the internal magnetic turbulence is measured by a new cross polarization scattering diagnostic in the Tore Supra tokamak. The principle of this experiment is presented. It is based on the polarization change or mode conversion of the electromagnetic wave scattered by magnetic fluctuations. A strong correlation between the internal magnetic fluctuation and the additional heating is observed, contrary to the edge fluctuations. The observed fluctuations increase linearly with the poloidal beta number {beta}{sub {ital p}} in the {ital L}-mode confinement regime.