Application of wavelet spectral analysis to plasma fluctuation measurements using beam emission spectroscopy

Beam emission spectroscopy (BES) measures localized density fluctuations in fusion plasma turbulence. A wavelet transform method of spectral analysis is applied to BES data to extract fluctuations without the long time-averaging characteristic of Fourier transform spectral analysis methods. This technique is used to observe an abrupt (∼100 μs) L–H transition on DIII–D. Wavelet-based cross correlation analysis can be used to obtain fluctuations of poloidal rotation velocity, and suggests opportunity for measurement of electrostatic potential fluctuation measurements.