Multichannel far-infrared polarimeter-interferometer system on the MST reversed field pinch

The multichannel far-infrared (FIR) heterodyne polarimeter-interferometer system on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) is now operational. The combined system consists of 11 channels with variable radial and toroidal spacing. Poloidal magnetic field is determined by measuring the Faraday rotation of the FIR laser beam after propagation through the plasma by use of a phase technique. The polarimeter has 3 mrad rms noise level and 1 ms temporal resolution while the interferometer resolution is n(e)dl = 1 x 10(12) cm(-2) with time response of 1 mus. Absolute calibration of the polarimeter system is achieved by use of a rotating quartz half-wave plate. The first 11-channel polarimeter measurements from MST indicate a Faraday rotation profile in good agreement with expectations from the MSTFIT equilibrium code. Future plans to reduce the polarimeter time response from 1 ms to 10 mus will allow direct measurement of magnetic fluctuations associated with global resistive tearing modes on MST. The effect of these modes on density is already clearly resolved and provides insight into the dynamics of these structures. Improving the time response will also result in lower phase noise for both the polarimeter and interferometer. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.