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Ultrafast Plasma Imaging

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Laser-Driven Sources of High Energy Particles and Radiation

Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Physics ((SPPHY,volume 231))

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Abstract

This paper gives an overview of high-resolution diagnostic techniques, which can be used for ultrafast plasma imaging. Various effects in the plasma are exploited to realize diagnostics sensitive to density distributions (via interferometry) or small-scale internal plasma structures (shadowgraphy). Furthermore, magnetic field distributions, which are linked to the formation of a relativistic particle pulse, can be detected using polarimetry. After a short description of these effects possible experimental configurations are discussed and exemplary experimental results are presented, which highlight the great potential of such diagnostics for giving us high-resolution insights into laser-based particle accelerators.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Note that the local plasma frequency may become space and time dependent through the respective variation of \(n_\mathrm{e}\). Furthermore, once the plasma electrons start to move with relativistic speeds, e.g. through the interaction with a high-intensity laser pulse, relativistic corrections to the electron mass need to be taken into account, too.

  2. 2.

    Note that the Faraday-effect also occurs in transparent media, which have a non-vanishing Verdet-constant.

  3. 3.

    Note that both approaches have their pros and cons: Using a partially transmissive beam-line mirror does not affect the driver beam profile, but the passage of the light through the mirror introduces spectral dispersion, which needs to be compensated. This becomes more and more challenging the broader the driver pulse’s spectrum is. This can be avoided by using a pick-up mirror in the beam line (or by using a beam-line mirror with a small hole in the center). While this leads to an undisturbed probe pulse, it, however, likely leads to diffraction effects, which may affect the driver beam’s profile.

  4. 4.

    One should note, however, that any deviations from this cylindrical symmetry cannot be resolved with the simplest approach of an Avel inversion, which inherently assumes this symmetry. Such asymmetries can—for example—be caused by a non-symmetric focus or—when using a gas jet for producing an underdense plasma—a non-symmetric gas nozzle. For various applications, a non-symmetric density distribution may even be advantageous. For more accurate results, which can resolve also non-symmetric density disrtibutions, tomographic techniques would be required [1, 20].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Malte C. Kaluza

  2. Helmholtz-Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Malte C. Kaluza

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  1. Malte C. Kaluza
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Correspondence to Malte C. Kaluza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Area della Ricerca del CNR, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Pisa, Italy

    Leonida Antonio Gizzi

  2. Forschungszentrum Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany

    Ralph Assmann

  3. Area della Ricerca del CNR, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Pisa, Italy

    Petra Koester

  4. Area della Ricerca del CNR, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Pisa, Italy

    Antonio Giulietti

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Kaluza, M.C. (2019). Ultrafast Plasma Imaging. In: Gizzi, L., Assmann, R., Koester, P., Giulietti, A. (eds) Laser-Driven Sources of High Energy Particles and Radiation. Springer Proceedings in Physics, vol 231. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25850-4_8

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