Laser-spectroscopic methods for diagnostics of electric fields in plasma (review)

Methods for measuring electric fields in plasma based on laser spectroscopy and the Stark effect on Rydberg atomic levels and rotational levels of polar diatomic molecules are considered. These methods feature high sensitivity and allow measurements of both static and alternating electric fields in plasma with high temporal and spatial resolutions. It is shown that laser-spectroscopic techniques also allow measurements of relatively weak magnetic fields in plasmas of facilities with magnetic plasma confinement. Such measurements can be based on the use of Stark splitting of highly excited energy levels of hydrogen atoms in a Lorentzian electric field, while a decrease in the fluorescent-radiation intensity at the Balmer-α line can serve as a recorded signal.