Two-color interferometer for the study of laser filamentation triggered electric discharges in air

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dual-wavelength interferometric technique for detailed plasma diagnostics, enabling independent measurement of neutral and electron densities in laser-induced air discharges with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Contribution

The study develops a novel interferometric method using two wavelengths to separately measure neutral and free electron densities in plasmas, improving diagnostic capabilities.

Findings

Achieved phase resolution of 30 mrad.

Able to resolve electron densities up to 4×10^{23} m^{-3}.

Successfully applied to laser filamentation-induced sparks in air.

Abstract

We present a space and time resolved interferometric plasma diagnostic for use on plasmas where neutral-bound electron contribution to the refractive index cannot be neglected. By recording simultaneously the plasma optical index at 532 and 1064 nm, we are able to extract independently the neutral and free electron density profiles. We report a phase resolution of 30 mrad, corresponding to a maximum resolution on the order of $4\times10^{23}~\mathrm{m}^{-3}$ for the electron density, and of $10^{24} ~ \mathrm{m}^{-3}$ for the neutral density. The interferometer is demonstrated on centimeter-scale sparks triggered by laser filamentation in air with typical currents of a few tens of A.