Advances in Imaging Refractometry Technique Development

The imaging refractometry technique is a valuable diagnostic tool for studying high energy density (HED) plasmas. Density fluctuations in these plasmas are challenging to measure, particularly in gas-puff Z-pinch implosions where turbulence is likely present [1]–[3]. After its introduction [4], the technique has been further developed at the Cornell University Laboratory of Plasma Studies for measuring imploding gas-puff Z-pinch plasmas using the 40 mJ, 150 ps, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser pulse at 1064/532 nm. To improve the technique further, a streak camera with >10 ns laser pulse will be added for time-resolved spectra acquisition.