Effects of asymmetry and target location on microwave imaging reflectometry

In this article we perform a numerical study of microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) and compare it with conventional reflectometry system. As an approximation to the reflections by real plasma fluctuations, a corrugated wheel is used. As far as general performance is concerned, our simulations confirm the results by Munsat et al. [Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 45, 469 (2003)] that the MIR system reproduces shape of corrugation far from the wheel while conventional systems fail to do so. We addressed the effects of asymmetry and defocusing of the wheel-reflectometer system as well as spectral sensitivity of the imaging reflectometer. For a particular geometry we estimated the deterioration of the MIR performance due to misalignments and existence of broadband fluctuations