Four-frame Picosecond Interferometry System for Probing Near-Critical Density CO_2 Laser-Produced Plasmas

摘要

In this paper we describe a four-frame picosecond green laser interferometer developed at the Neptune Laboratory at UCLA. This diagnostic tool is used to measure the dynamics of CO_2 laser-produced plasmas in a helium gas jet. We also present here an example of results of the modification of the plasma density profile by the radiation pressure of the laser pulse.