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Single-shot picosecond interferometry for the characterization of laser-driven shock waves
Optics Express
|June 14, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel single-shot Sagnac interferometer for characterizing laser-induced shock waves. This method enhances reproducibility and data quality by avoiding target damage in shock wave experiments.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional laser-driven shock experiments suffer from target damage and low reproducibility.
- Interferometric detection of shock waves requires sample integrity, which is compromised by repeated laser exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a single-shot interferometric technique for characterizing laser-induced shock waves.
- To overcome limitations of conventional methods, including target damage and shot-to-shot variability.
Main Methods:
- A Sagnac interferometer combined with an echelon was utilized to split a single femtosecond probe beam into multiple beams.
- This setup enabled multi-frame, single-shot interferometric characterization of shock wave propagation.
Main Results:
- The technique achieved a time resolution of 10 picoseconds and a total time window of approximately 150 picoseconds.
- The Sagnac interferometer demonstrated high stability and sensitivity for shock wave detection.
Conclusions:
- The presented single-shot Sagnac interferometer offers a robust and efficient method for characterizing picosecond to nanosecond shock waves.
- This technique is particularly advantageous for studying small or non-uniform samples, improving data quality and reproducibility in shock physics research.
