The Diagnostic Probing of Laser Plasma with a Femtosecond Time Resolution Using a Three-Channel Polarization Interferometer

Abstract

The possibility of modifying the scheme of the previously developed three-channel polarization interferometer and creating a device that allows laser probing of plasma with a femtosecond time resolution is demonstrated. The test experiments with a spark in air generated by a nanosecond laser pulse using a probing pulse with duration of 50 fs are carried out. High-contrast interference plasma images making it possible to reconstruct the profile of an electron plasma concentration in a wide range of changes in the delay of the probing pulse with respect to the forming pulse are obtained.