Interferometric measurement of high-frequency density fluctuations in Madison symmetric torus

Abstract

As a consequence of recent improvements to the far-infrared (FIR) interferometer time response, from bandwidth of 10 kHz up to 1 MHz, high-frequency density fluctuations can now be resolved on the Madison symmetric torus (MST) reversed-field pinch. The phase measurement allows absolute calibration of the fluctuation amplitude while eleven chords generate information on the spatial distribution. Density fluctuations up to 200 kHz are observed. A unique feature of the MST interferometer is that six chords are toroidally displaced 5° from the remaining five. Hence, besides information on the poloidal structure, i.e., m=1, toroidal information is also available. By computing the cross power, coherence, and cross phase between two toroidally displaced chords, one can determine the toroidal rotation speed, dispersion, and correlation length.