Transient Plasma Diagnostics Using Simultaneous CO2 Laser Interferometry and Absorption

Abstract

A plasma diagnostic technique using simultaneous CO₂ laser interferometry and absorption is described which allows temporal determination of both electron density n_e and temperature T_e. Results are given for the case of a transient plasma produced by focusing TEA CO₂ laser radiation into argon. Application of these diagnostics to laser‐produced plasmas provides a method for recombination coefficient measurements. Time dependence of average n_e and T_e along with a recombination coefficient for argon are reported.