E. Zilli

The multichord far infrared polarimeter of the RFX experiment

A multichannel far infrared (FIR) polarimeter has been installed on the reversed field experiment (RFX) to measure the poloidal magnetic field profile, BΘ. The polarimeter uses a FIR laser (λ=118.8 μm) whose beam is transmitted to the machine via a 31 m long, nitrogen filled beam line. Faraday rotation measurements are reported for five of six parallel chords crossing the 1 m diameter RFX plasma on a poloidal cross section. The density profile is known from a CO2 interferometer. Low noise deuterated L-alaine doped triglycene sulphate (DLATGS) detectors are used. An accuracy of about 0.2° is obtained in the measured Faraday rotation angle, which is sufficient to estimate the characteristics of the BΘ profile. Removal of the noise induced by mechanical vibrations allowed acceptable measurements of Faraday rotation angles.

Realization, Operation and Results of the Multichannel Far-Infrared Polarimeter on RFX

This paper illustrates the realisation and testing of the multichannel far-infrared polarimeter for the RFX machine, a plasma confinement experiment with the Reversed Field Pinch configuration. The diagnostic is described and the its main sections are outlined: the laser system operating at λ = 118.8μm, the FIR optical line, the beam splitter and the beam detection units, the signal processing electronics and the motion electronics for the calibration halfwave plates. Emphasis is placed on the work performed on the polarimeter to make it operational. We illustrate the preliminary tests of the diagnostic equipment and the activity performed to bring the diagnostic into reliable operation, in particular the reduction of the noise produced by magnetically induced mechanical vibrations during machine shots. An example of the first Faraday angle measurements performed on five chords are presented and discussed. The measured Faraday angle was also compared to a theoretically calculated value, based on a simple plasma model, with satisfactory agreement between measured and predicted data.

Focused aperture microwave antennas operating in the near field zone

Focusing a microwave antenna is often convenient in order to produce a Fraunhofer-type pattern at short distance from the aperture. The characteristics of the radiation patterns produced by some specimens were experimentally tested and compared with theoretical predictions. Basic criteria are given to design focused antennas, once their radiation pattern characteristics are specified.

Detection of lower hybrid waves by coherent scattering of microwaves: Preliminary results in Wega

The coherent scattering of a microwave beam is considered as a diagnostic tool for monitoring the penetration of the lower hybrid heating waves in a plasma. A set up using a 2 mm wavelength has been installed on the Wega torus. Preliminary experimental data are reported and discussed. The amplitude of the electron density fluctuations has been found lower than the one we expected. The variation of the wave amplitude as the plasma density varies, qualitatively agrees with a cold plasma electromagnetic theory. The feasibility of the measurements was checked and indications of some improvements to be made in the diagnostic method came out. Some important topics (both theoretical and practical) in scattering experiments on L.H. heating waves are reviewed.

A focussing hog‐horn antenna for microwave diagnostics in plasma machines

We describe the design of a type of millimeter wave antenna which is particularly suitable in plasma diagnostics applications. It is an all metal focussing hog‐horn antenna. Its main advantages are high spatial resolution, capability of working at short distance, little space taken, wide band, ruggedness. Moreover it does not produce vacuum or plasma bombardment problems.

Far-infrared polarimetric characterization of metallic mirrors exposed to a tokamak plasma

We describe the polarimetric characterization in the far infrared (λ=118.8μm) of a set of metallic mirrors and of a corner cube retroreflector whose surface has been exposed to a tokamak plasma. The objective of the measurements was to investigate possible changes of the polarization state of the incident radiation due to plasma depositions and identify possible sources of errors for the measurement of the ITER q profile by far-infrared (FIR) polarimetry. Tests have been made on Mo and Cu mirrors exposed to the plasma in TEXTOR and Tore Supra. A corner cube retroreflector exposed in Tore Supra was also tested. The thickness and composition of the plasma depositions on these optical elements were known by previous surface analysis and visible ellipsometry studies. Our tests have been carried out in the FIR laboratory of the RFX experiment in Padova, Italy, and in the Laser Research Laboratory of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Cork, Ireland, using a Stokes pola...

Single chord far‐infrared polarimetry experiment on RFX

This paper summarises the work of the authors in the realisation and testing of a pilot single chord polarimetry experiment on the RFX (reversed field experiment) machine, at the far-infrared wavelength of 118.8 µm. The fundamental purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the feasibility of a Faraday rotation angle measurement on RFX, with the required resolution, and to clarify all the aspects which may be useful for the final six-chord version of the diagnostic. The apparatus which has been developed is described, with emphasis on some of the modifications which proved essential in order to obtain a satisfactory measurement, in spite of the hostile environment of the machine. Typical results of Faraday angle measurements are presented and discussed, and the reliability of the measurement is demonstrated. In particular, the required +0.2o accuracy is achieved and the results are consistent with magnetic field profiles similar to the ones predicted by the Bessel function model. Suitable design considerations are formulated in order to guarantee the required performance in the six-chord version, even when the machine moves into full regime.

Extension of lock−in operation to vhf frequencies

A simple dual frequency converter is described which applies the lock−in technique to frequencies much higher than that of commercially available lock−in amplifiers.

Electronics and signal processing for the multichord far-infrared polarimeter of the RFX experiment

This article describes the realization and testing of the electronic system which forms part of the multichannel far-infrared (FIR) polarimeter for the RFX machine, a plasma confinement experiment with Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) configuration. The electronic system, which comprises the detectors, the signal-processing electronics, and the motion electronics for the half-wave plate movement, is described. Emphasis is placed in the analysis of the polarimeter signals, which permits an in-depth understanding of the performance of the data processing electronics and the role of the various sources of noise in the system. After a brief outline of the basic principle of the measurement, the choice of detectors and their characteristics are described in order to achieve the best performances at the FIR wavelength (λ=118.8 μm) of interest. Various tests, which are described, confirmed the need for a specifically designed pyroelectric detector capable of operating in the hostile magnetic environment near the machi...

Coherent scattering diagnostic method on heating waves in J.E.T.

The application of a large angle microwave scattering diagnostic to the J.E.T. plasma in order to detect the penetration of the Lower Hybrid heating waves is examined. Fun damental equations of the coherent scattering are briefly reviewed and the scattered power is described on the basis of a full electromagnetic warm plasma dispersion relation. The choice of the best suited incident wavelength and its consequences on the performances of the scattering experiment (range of measurable n”, refraction effects, spatial resolution, etc.) are considered. The feasibility of such an experiment with the existing sources and technology is also considered.