Real-time dispersion interferometry for density feedback in fusion devices

Interferometry as one of the most common core fusion diagnostics has traditionally suffered from incomplete vibration compensation. Dispersion interferometry promises a more complete compensation of vibrations. For this reason it is being employed in an increasing number of experiments. However, thus far none of them have shown reliable real-time low-latency processing of dispersion interferometry data. Nonetheless this is a necessity for most machines when trying to do density feedback control, most notably in long discharges like the ones planned at the W7-X stellarator and ITER. In this paper we report the development of a new phase extraction method specifically developed for real-time evaluation using field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). It has been shown to operate reliably during the operation phase OP1.2a at W7-X and is now routinely being used by the W7-X density feedback system up to very high densities above 1.4×1020 m-2 without showing 2π-wraps and exhibits increased wrap stability by double-data-rate sampling. A rigorous error analysis has been conducted shedding insights into the signal composition of a dispersion interferometer have been gained. This includes the environmental effects, most notably air humidity, on the phase measurement and the correction thereof.