Thomson Scattering and Langmuir Probe Development on the Helicon Plasma Experiment (HPX)

CGAPL's 40-channel Data Acquisition (DAQ) system stores, and controls Plasma data collected by a multitude of diagnostics and sensors over long timescales. Often automation and remote operation of intelligent devices, like our high-performance spectrometer utilizing a volume-phase-holographic (VPH) grating and CCD camera with a range of 380-1090 nm and 1024x1024 resolution, are required in our adverse operating environment. This spectrometer will collect doppler shifted photons scattered by the plasma from a 2.5 J Nd:YAG laser to make direct measurements of the plasma's temperature and density as a single spatial point Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostic system. A linear actuated periscope has been constructed to remotely redirect the beam so both 532 and 1064 nm wavelengths can be used. TS has the capability of determining plasma properties on short timescales and will be used to create a robust picture of internal plasma parameters. Concurrently, a fully protected Langmuir probe electronics system designed to track the change in the Ion Saturation current for plasma edge measurements has been constructed. Probe installation automation, optimization, and data collection obstacles, solutions, and procedures will be reported.