Pump with Broadband Probe Experiments for Single-Shot Measurements of Plasma Conditions and Crossed-Beam Energy Transfer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 175103 – Published 22 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/96yh-96pw
Abstract
A novel technique for measuring plasma conditions using monochromatic pump-broadband-probe laser interactions has been experimentally demonstrated. Originally proposed in Ludwig et al. [Phys. Plasmas 26, 113108 (2019)], this method utilizes crossed-beam energy transfer between the broadband probe and the pump, mediated by plasma ion acoustic waves. The complete energy transfer spectrum can be captured in a single shot, enabling the inference of plasma parameters such as density, electron and ion temperatures, and flow velocity. Compared to Thomson scattering, this technique offers signal enhancements typically larger than 9 orders of magnitude, significantly reducing the required probe laser intensity and facilitating interactions that are linear and measurements that are nonperturbative of the plasma. Furthermore, it provides a powerful tool for advancing studies of crossed-beam energy transfer under conditions relevant to inertial confinement fusion experiments.
