Interferometric study of laser-produced plasmas

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.322413· OSTI ID:7340863

Reintjes, J F; Lee, T N; Eckardt, R C; Andrews, R A

High-quality interferograms of laser-produced plasmas with spatial resolution of 15 ..mu..m are obtained using a relatively simple Jamin-type interferometer and a precisely timed 30-psec probing laser pulse from a mode-locked Nd : YAG laser, frequency doubled to 532 nm. The spatial resolution attainable with the present arrangement is limited by the velocity of the expanding plasma and the finite duratiaon of the probing pulse. The plasmas are produced by focusing a Nd : glass Q-switched laser pulse (0.5 GW, 10/sup 11/--10/sup 13/ W cm/sup -2/) onto slab targets of Al, Mg, and (CH/sub 2/)/sub n/. The electron density distribution, plasma dimension, and expansion velocity for both point and line foci are studied as a function of time delay between the mode-locked and Q-switched laser pulses. The results obtained with different durations of the heating (Q-switched) pulse and with the various target material are compared. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375
• OSTI ID: 7340863
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 47:10; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELEMENTS
EXPANSION
HEATING
INTERFEROMETRY
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
MAGNESIUM
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA EXPANSION
PLASMA HEATING
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
Q-SWITCHING
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION