Advanced Thomson scattering system for high-flux linear plasma generator

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Plasma surface interactions are crucial for materials processing and fusion energy.
• Accurate diagnostics are needed to understand plasma behavior near surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an advanced Thomson scattering system for plasma diagnostics.
• To measure electron density, temperature, and neutral density in a linear plasma generator.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Nd:YAG laser and a high-etendue spectrometer with an intensified CCD camera.
• Employed Thomson scattering for electron properties and Rayleigh scattering for neutral density.
• Achieved 50 spatial channels with 2 mm resolution along a 95 mm laser chord.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated accurate measurements of electron density (n(e)) and temperature (T(e)) profiles.
• Achieved 3% accuracy in n(e) and 6% in T(e) with averaged pulses.
• Measured neutral density (n(0)) with 25% accuracy using Thomson-Rayleigh scattering.

Conclusions:

• The developed Thomson scattering system provides high-resolution, accurate plasma diagnostics.
• The system is suitable for studying plasma expansions and surface interactions.
• Validated performance with measurements on an argon plasma expansion.