CO2 Laser Heterodyne Plasma Diagnostics in an Adverse Environment

Abstract

A CO₂ laser heterodyne system was successfully used to measure plasma density‐length product (DLP) in the 10¹³–10¹⁴‐cm⁻² range, with μsec response. This was done in the extremely adverse environment of the Astron‐controlled fusion experimental area at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore. The results indicate that the system is capable of covering a plasma DLP range of 10¹²–10¹⁶ cm⁻² with 20‐nsec response.