Plasma probing by linearly polarized radiation near the second cyclotron harmonic in the L-2 stellarator

Experiments on the probing of the plasma column in the L-2 stellarator by linearly polarized radiation near the second cyclotron harmonic are reported. A theoretical explanation is offered for the time dependence of the intensity of the received signal. This theory is based on a splitting of the incident wave into two normal waves of the magnetized plasma and a Faraday rotation of the polarization plane. The optical thickness of the plasma for the extraordinary wave is found.