Application of near-resonant laser radiation scattering to plasma diagnostic

The advantages of diagnostic based on near-resonant scattering (NRS) of laser radiation have already been noticed. The observation of scattered light near atomic transition ωo (detuning vertical strokeΔvertical stroke = vertical strokeωL-ωovertical stroke ≤ ωo, ωL- laser frequency) can be useful for plasma studies in the cases: (a) high level of plasma background is determined by the line radiation at λo; (b) the interpretation of LIF-technique signals is a complicated problem as a result of high collision rates in the plasma; (c) the scattering medium is optically thick in the line center λo. The feasibility of NRS LIDAR scheme and the development of powerful laser sources for the UV and IR-ranges can also be included in this list. At present NRS-diagnostics for tokamak plasmas are under development in Kurchatov Institute. This paper describes our conception of NRS-techniques, the results of model experiments and the current status of our activity in the field. (orig.)