Time-sequence imaging of relativistic laser–plasma interactions using a novel two-color probe pulse

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 92; no. 4; pp. 475 - 479
• Main Authors: Kaluza, M. C., Santala, M. I. K., Schreiber, J., Tsakiris, G. D., Witte, K. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.09.2008; Springer
• Subjects: Basic studies of specific kinds of plasmas; Beams (radiation); Channels; Electron density; Engineering; Evolution; Exact sciences and technology; Interferometers; Laser-plasma acceleration of electrons and ions; Laser-plasma interactions; Lasers; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma (physics); Plasma production and heating; Plasma production and heating by laser beams; Quantum Optics; Rapid Communication; Relativistic plasmas; 52.38.-r; 52.27.Ny; 52.38.Kd; Relativistic plasma; Plasma channel; Laser-produced plasma; Laser plasma interaction; Electron density; Interferometers; Interferometry
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-008-3150-z

We describe and demonstrate a novel experimental technique to record two picosecond-separated images of the evolution of a single-shot laser-produced plasma using a two-color probe beam. In this technique, the probe beam was first partially frequency doubled. The 1 ω and 2 ω components were then temporally separated in a dispersive medium. The pulses remained intrinsically synchronized, both having a duration of ∼150 fs, but they were separated by 4.1 ps. Using a Nomarskii-type interferometer, this novel technique was used to obtain two time-resolved snapshots of the evolution of the electron density at different time steps during the formation of a relativistic plasma channel.