Instrumentation for magnetically confined fusion plasma diagnostics

Abstract

Recent progress in magnetically confined plasma research has brought the goal of controlled thermonuclear fusion within reach. Simultaneously, the increased size, temperature, and density of these devices has resulted in rapid changes in diagnostic techniques. In this article, recent developments in instrumentation are reviewed together with trends for the future. The topics discussed include far‐infrared laser interferometry and polarimetry, ruby laser television Thomson scattering, excimer and Nd‐glass laser scattering, ion temperature determination via large‐α scattering with FIR and CO₂ lasers, collective scattering, Schottky diode mixer technology, synchrotron radiation diagnostics and imaging, ion beam probes, x‐ray diagnostics and imaging, neutron diagnostics, resonance fluorescence scattering, ultraviolet diagnostics, and internal magnetic field measurement.