Using microwave refraction to determine local inhomogeneities of a rotating plasma

Abstract

To determine the local inhomogeneities of a rotating plasma, the method based on microwave refraction was used. The method is based on spectral and correlation analysis of the reflected signals from the rotating plasma layer at normal and inclined microwave incidence. This method allowed us to determine local inhomogeneities of plasma electron density, angles of azimuthal displacement of grooves, and its angular frequency of rotation. Using an additional 4th horn antenna, in contrast to previous works, it was possible to find and analyze two regions with azimuthal inhomogeneities in the rotating plasma. Analysis of the reflected signals shows the presence of four grooves, and the angular frequency of rotation ω = 1.16 × 104 rad/s was also determined.

Keywords

• horn antenna
• inhomogeneities
• reflected microwave
• reflectometry
• refraction