Automation of the 2D Plasma Diagnostics

Plasma Turbulence Study

• Plasma turbulence is a key factor limiting stability of possible fusion energy sources
• Studied using planar laser-induced fluorescence

Controlled Hardware

• Intensified CCD camera by Roper
• Tunable, Q-switched Alexandrite laser
• Helicon-type plasma chamber

Results

• CCD performance was modeled and improved
• Turbulence imagery with spatial resolution of < 50 μ and temporal resolution of better than 40 μs was achieved
• Fast rotating turbulences observed