Laser plasma density measurements using interferometry

Fabrication of an interferometer is planned at the UCSD Laser Plasma and Laser-Matter Interactions Laboratory. The primary goal of this project is to measure the density at early times in the evolution of highly transient laser created plasmas. We describe the design concepts and details of different kinds of interferometer for measuring density evolution, especially during early time of plasma expansion. This diagnostic tool is very important for characterizing EUV laser produced plasma light as most of the EUV radiation is emitted only during the laser pulse.