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Thomson Scattering with Gain
D Turnbull1, A L Milder1, R K Follett1
1University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|April 17, 2026
Summary
Convective gains from stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering instabilities significantly alter Thomson-scattering signals. Accounting for these plasma instabilities is crucial for accurate measurements, preventing common errors in data analysis.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Laser-plasma interactions
Background:
- Thomson scattering is a key diagnostic for plasma properties.
- Stimulated scattering instabilities can affect scattered light.
- Previous Thomson scattering measurements have overlooked instability effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the impact of convective gains from stimulated scattering on Thomson scattering signals.
- To emphasize the necessity of accounting for instability growth in Thomson scattering analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of how convective gains modify Thomson scattering signals.
- Examination of the effects on Stokes and anti-Stokes features.
Main Results:
- Convective gains amplify and narrow Stokes-shifted scattered light.
- Blueshifted (anti-Stokes) features are depleted and broadened by gain.
- The relative prominence of spectral features indicates gain presence.
Conclusions:
- Instability growth is a significant factor in Thomson scattering.
- Ignoring convective gains leads to errors in Thomson scattering measurements.
- Accurate Thomson scattering requires incorporating plasma instability physics.
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