Determination of plasma density and temperature profiles using magneto-acoustic oscillations

Abstract

This paper reports on theoretical and experimental refinements in the use of forced radial magneto-acoustic oscillations of a magnetized plasma as a diagnostic technique. The theory of such oscillations is extended to include radial variations in electron number density, neutral atom density and plasma temperature. In experiments carried out in an argon afterglow plasma, observations of the radial variation of the oscillation amplitude, and of the total flux in the plasma, are combined with theory to yield radial density and temperature profiles. These profiles are in good agreement with independent measurements made using laser interferometry and spectroscopic techniques.