Advancements of microwave diagnostics in magnetically confined plasmas

Abstract

Microwave to millimeter-wave diagnostic techniques such as interferometry, reflectometry, scattering and radiometry have been powerful tools for diagnosing magnetically confined plasmas. Recent advances in electronic devices and components together with computer technology have enabled the development of advanced diagnostics in microwave to millimeter-wave region. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional profiles of plasma density/temperature and dynamic behaviors of their fluctuations are measured by using the advanced diagnostic systems. The measurements have clarified the physics issues such as stability, wave phenomena and fluctuation-induced transport. We report here on the representative microwave diagnostics and their contribution to plasma confinement physics.