Microscopic interferometry of laser-produced plasmas

Abstract
Holographic microinterferometry is applied to the study of laser‐produced plasmas. A 150‐psec 1.06‐μm light pulse from a neodymium laser is used for both production and diagnostics of the plasma. An interferogram, obtained 0.5 nsec after irradiation by a 1/2‐J pulse, is presented. It is pointed out that spatial resolution is limited by plasma motion during passage of the 100‐psec frequency‐doubled diagnostic pulse.