Interferometry of transient phenomena using lasers emitting at different wavelengths in the UV, visible, and infrared spectral range
Abstract
Optical interferometric methods using lasers provide interesting possibilities for quantitative analysis of objects with small absorption in the range of both experimental gas-dynamics and plasma-physics. The first investigations were performed with solid-state lasers, especially ruby lasers. With these lasers short pulses in the nano- and pico-second range with peak powers of several MW to GW can be obtained. Two-wavelength-interferometry applied to conventional or holographic techniques gives a marked increase of information as compared to purely monochromatic or even white-light sources. Further increase of sensitivity, in investigating for sample plasmas of low electron densities, is possible by the application of lasers emitting in the infrared. The use of CO2-lasers necessitates a study of new detection systems as conventional photographic materials are not available. The methods of the above mentioned different experimental procedures and the possibilities for quantitative explorations are discussed.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- September 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974STIN...7711368H
- Keywords:
-
- Holographic Interferometry;
- Laser Outputs;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Differential Interferometry;
- Electron Density Profiles;
- Infrared Interferometers;
- Infrared Lasers;
- Photographic Recording;
- Quantitative Analysis;
- Ruby Lasers;
- Transient Oscillations;
- Instrumentation and Photography