Coherent detection of the complete linear electrostatic plasma response of plasma ions using laser-induced fluorescence

Plasmas support many different wave modes. Each wave mode is characterized by a particular perturbation of the velocity distribution functions of each particle species in the plasma Coherent detection, using laser-induced fluorescence, of the wave motion associated with a harmonic signal on an electrostatic antenna allows one to determine the complete electrostatic linear response of ion waves. Degrees of freedom beyond the fluid theory are necessary to describe the data. Extensions of the technique can be used to explore nonlinear wave interactions.