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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
11:20
Investigation of Early Plasma Evolution Induced by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Published on: July 2, 2012
Time-resolved spectra of dense plasma focus using spectrometer, streak camera, and CCD combination
F J Goldin1, B T Meehan, E C Hagen
1Livermore Operations, National Security Technologies, LLC, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|November 2, 2010
Summary
A new time-resolving spectrographic instrument was developed to diagnose dynamic plasmas. This system uses a streak camera and CCD for high-speed spectral analysis of plasma experiments.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Spectroscopy
- Instrumentation
Background:
- Diagnosing highly dynamic plasmas requires advanced diagnostic tools.
- Existing methods may lack the temporal resolution needed for rapidly evolving plasma phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assemble and test a novel time-resolving spectrographic instrument.
- To enable detailed analysis of fast plasma processes.
Main Methods:
- The instrument integrates a spectrometer, an image-converting streak camera, and a CCD recording camera.
- Light from the plasma is collected, fiber-coupled to the spectrometer, and then imaged onto the streak camera's photocathode.
- A Czerny-Turner spectrometer configuration was adapted using refractive lenses for flexibility.
Main Results:
- The instrument successfully acquired data from bridge wire and dense plasma focus experiments.
- Initial data demonstrates the capability for time-resolved spectral measurements.
Conclusions:
- The assembled instrument shows promise for diagnosing highly dynamic plasmas.
- Further refinement is needed, but the system has proven functional in preliminary experiments.
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