Measurement of Internal Magnetic Field Fluctuations in a Reversed-Field Pinch by Faraday Rotation

Magnetic field fluctuations (and the associated current perturbation) have been measured in the core of a high-temperature reversed-field pinch using a newly developed fast-polarimetry system. Radial magnetic field fluctuation levels of approximately 1% are measured in standard-reversed-field pinch discharges which increase to approximately 4% during the sawtooth crash (enhanced dynamo). The fluctuation level is reduced fourfold for high-confinement plasmas where the core-resonant tearing modes are suppressed.