CO2 laser imaging interferometer on LHD

A CO2 laser (lambda = 10.6 mum) imaging interferometer is designed for electron density profile and electron density fluctuation measurements on large helical device (LHD). The purposes of this diagnostic are reliable electron density monitor in high density operation (especially in pellet injection discharge), precise measurement of electron density profiles and observations of density fluctuations. By using a CO2 laser, refraction effect becomes negligible, and the interferometer promises to be free from fringe jumps at high density. We plan to get 5 mm spatial resolution, (56 ch for each of two 280 mm slab beams, 50 ch for one 250 mm and 16 ch for 80 mm crossed beam), 3 x 10(-3) rad phase resolution and 200 kHz frequency response for the above purpose. And fluctuation will be studied within the wave number range of 7 x 10(-3) less than or equal to k less than or equal to 0.6 mm(-1). (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.