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Updated: May 23, 2026
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Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection
Published on: April 26, 2014
Multi-chord fiber-coupled interferometer with a long coherence length laser.
Elizabeth C Merritt1, Alan G Lynn, Mark A Gilmore
1Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 3, 2012
Summary
A novel laser interferometer measures plasma electron density in railgun experiments. This system achieves high sensitivity for studying μs-, cm-, and Mbar-scale plasmas.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Interferometry
- Laser Diagnostics
Background:
- Railgun-generated plasmas are crucial for fusion energy research.
- Accurate measurement of plasma electron density is essential for understanding plasma behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a laser heterodyne interferometer for time-resolved plasma electron density measurements.
- To enable diagnostics of high-energy-density plasmas produced in the Plasma Liner Experiment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 561 nm laser heterodyne interferometer with a long coherence length.
- Employed fiber-optic decoupling for flexible probe path configuration.
- Achieved sub-fringe phase-shift resolution for sensitive measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured line-integrated plasma electron densities from 10^15 to 10^18 cm^-2.
- Demonstrated operation down to 5 × 10^15 cm^-2 line-integrated densities.
- The interferometer system proved robust and adaptable to different plasma regions.
Conclusions:
- The developed laser interferometer is a powerful tool for diagnosing high-energy-density plasmas.
- The system's flexibility and sensitivity advance plasma diagnostics capabilities.
- This technology supports research in inertial confinement fusion and other plasma applications.
