Microwave reflectometry for fusion plasma diagnosis

摘要

Microwave and millimetre-wave reflectometry is a type of radar for diagnosing fusion plasmas. Introduced in the early 1980s reflectometry is now common-place and forms part of the diagnostic suite on all major fusion research devices. Reflectometry has undergone tremendous advances in the last few years, both in hardware development, signal processing and data interpretation. In addition to the traditional electron density profile and density fluctuation measurements reflectometry is finding new applications in core MHD localization, plasma position control, plasma rotation measurements via Doppler frequency shifts and sophisticated systems for turbulence imaging. This paper is both a report of the last Reflectometry Workshop, the seventh, and an editorial for this special issue of Nuclear Fusion which grew out of the workshop. This special issue includes 21 papers which touch upon practically all aspects of microwave reflectometry, not just the diagnostic developments but also some of the unique applications and physics results obtained. Together, the workshop summary and editorial should give an overview of the current activities and a guide to future trends within the field.