Plasma species mix diagnostic using ion–ion hybrid layer reflectometry

A superheterodyne reflectometer could provide a direct and inexpensive measurement of ion species mixes with different charge-to-mass ratios. Using the cold plasma dispersion relation, the ion–ion hybrid cutoff frequency is uniquely determined by the density ratio and cyclotron frequencies of the two different species. The phase of a 20 MHz wave that travels from the launching point to the cutoff layer to the receiving antenna provides a direct measure of the )