Phase error correction method for a vibration compensated interferometer

In order to compensate for vibrations while simultaneously measuring plasma line-averaged density, the existing real-time interferometer on DIII-D uses both a HeNe and CO2 laser operating at 10.59 and 0.632 mum, respectively. The line density resolution is 10(18) m(-2) which is predominantly determined by the measurement electronics. In particular, errors resulting from detection of the CO2 phase shift and finite bit size in the processing electronics are the major limiting factors. This article describes a method for postshot error correction generally applicable to two-color interferometers that utilize analog quadrature phase detection. The error correction scheme exploits the facts that error introduced by the phase comparator is periodic and that measurements can be made while the density is zero and only the errors are recorded. Application of this method will reduce unphysical density oscillations which are purely a result of vibration induced phase shifts. Application to DIII-D data shows a 25% reduction in noise amplitude on line density measurements. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.