Poloidal polarimeter system for current density measurements in ITER

The polarimeter system for ITER features 10 viewing chords covering almost the full poloidal cross section of the plasma in a fan-like arrangement. Th e 10 laser beams all enter the plasma via 150 mm diam penetrations through the diagnostic plug at the low-field side. Small retroreflectors at the hig h-field side mirror the laser beams back towards the penetrations at the lo w-field side. Extensive feasibility calculations have led to the conclusion that the optimum wavelength for the polarimeter is around 100 mu m. At thi s wavelength counterproductive effects like refraction and electron cyclotr on absorption are negligibly small. However, the anticipated Faraday rotati on angles are still very large, such that several important plasma paramete rs can be measured within the requirements set by the ITER team. In this ar ticle the status of the conceptual design of the polarimeter system for ITE R will be presented. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(99 )63801-1].