Simple interferometer for space and time resolved density measurements of laser produced plasmas

A lateral shearing interferometer has been set up and coupled to an S-20 optical streak camera to obtain time resolved spatial electron density profiles of laser produced plasmas in a single shot. The electron density profiles are recorded with a temporal resolution of 70ps for a continuous time duration of 15ns. Performance of the system is demonstrated by recording temporal evolution of one dimensional density profiles of an expanding laser produced aluminum plasma. The system can be especially useful in characterization of expanding plasma for thin film deposition using laser ablated plumes.