Use of radiative line broadening by an intense laser field as a plasma diagnostic

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6813810· OSTI ID:6813810

Schlessinger, L; Wright, J

In many laser fusion applications it would be of significant interest to have an independent measurement of the strength of the laser electric field at various positions in the plasma. In this report we show that in many cases of interest the line broadening caused by an intense laser field can provide such a measurement. For low-Z elements at moderate temperatures and for typical laser intensities and densities, the line broadening caused by the intense field is the dominant source of line width. In this situation the line width depends on the strength of the laser field at that position and the line profile is quite unique, having a characteristic and calculable dependence on the angle between the laser electric field and the direction of the radiated photon. These special properties should allow the lines of low-Z elements seeded at various positions in the plasma to be identified, their widths determined, and the value of the laser electric field at that position derived.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6813810
• Report Number(s): UCRL-15294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IMPURITIES
LASER RADIATION
LINE BROADENING
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RADIATIONS