RESEARCH ON PLASMA DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE PLASMA RESEARCH.
Abstract
A new experimental arrangement of the infrared maser-interferometer detector combination employed to investigate dynamical gaseous plasmas and narrow, rapidly moving cylindrical detached shocks in a 30 kilojoule theta pinch was conceived, fabricated, and tested. This maser-interferometer-detector system has markedly improved frequency response. Because of its usefulness in determining the electron density from laser interferometry data, an expression for the laser resonator energy density as a function of the second resonator length was derived, under the assumption of dielectric mirrors. A Fabry-Perot interferometer in which the plane mirrors of infinite extent are prefaced by Brewster windows, and plane electromagnetic waves propagate along the z-axis through a lasing medium immersed in a steady state magnetic field was considered. The effect of the magnetic field on resonator tuning, on critical gain requirements, and on the polarization of the laser output beam were investigated. The advent of the giant pulse ruby laser as an extremely powerful energy source has provided the plasma researcher with a means of producing ultra-pure plasmas in which electron densities may range as high as 10 to the 21st power electrons/cc. A giant pulse ruby laser illuminated Mach-Zehnder interferometer is employed to study laser induced discharges in air at atmospheric pressure. Strong blast wave theory was employed to investigate the dynamics of gaseous plasmas produced when a giant pulse ruby laser was focused in gases initially at 1-2000 atmospheres.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0658052
Entities
People
- Arwin Adelbert Dougal
- D. J. Mayhall
- Frederic Weigl
- M. O. Hagler
- Otto M. Friedrich Jr.
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin