We present the theory of propagation and scattering of strongly refracting microwaves in turbulent inhomogeneous plasmas. We calculate the scattered signal amplitude in the case of a linear scattering regime in the Born approximation and in the case of multiple small-angle scattering. We discuss the possibility of an analytic description of multiple Bragg backscattering in a closed form. Based on the results of a theoretical analysis of microwave scattering regimes in inhomogeneous turbulent plasmas, we discuss the main fluctuation reflectometry schemes that are broadly used in toroidal thermonuclear fusion devices to analyze turbulence characteristics. We describe the methods for interpreting experimental data and the experimental approaches relying on reflectometry diagnostics that enhance the locality of measurements and their resolution with respect to the wave vectors of fluctuations.

Keywords: microwave scattering, fluctuation reflectometry, drift turbulence, low-frequency density fluctuation, toroidal device, thermonuclear fusion PACS: 52.35.Hr, 52.35.Mw, 52.70.−m (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2020.08.038813 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2020/11/d/ 000613920600004 2-s2.0-85101593551 2020PhyU...63.1114G Citation: Gusakov E Z, Popov A Yu "Scattering theory of strongly refracting microwaves in turbulent inhomogeneous plasma. Applications of the theory to the description of fluctuation reflectometry in thermonuclear fusion devices" Phys. Usp. 63 1114–1139 (2020) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 25th, December 2019, revised: 5th, July 2020, accepted: 11th, August 2020 Оригинал: Гусаков Е З, Попов А Ю «Теория рассеяния сильно рефрагирующих СВЧ-волн в турбулентной неоднородной плазме. Приложение теории к описанию флуктуационной рефлектометрии в термоядерных установках» УФН 190 1189–1216 (2020); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2020.08.038813