Study of electron density and pressure profile behavior in a tokamak plasma

Simultaneous determinations of local electron density and magnetic flux surface in a tokamak plasma have been made feasible with multichannel interferometry using a new asymmetric Abel inversion method. This new method takes advantage of interferometry by measuring the electron density profile as a function of time. The derived electron density parameters, such as the total number of electrons, peak density, and the profile shape factor, have been extremely useful in tokamak plasma experiments. In addition, by suing measured time-dependent electron temperatures from electron cyclotron emission, similar parameters for the electron pressure can be studied. 16 refs., 3 figs