Graphical user interface algorithms to retrieve cylindrically symmetric gas jet and laser-induced plasma densities from interferograms
Efficient and accurate characterization of gaseous jets and laser-induced plasmas plays a crucial role in implementing laser wakefield accelerator setups and other laser-plasma-based experiments. Interferometry is largely used worldwide as a diagnostic tool to measure these target profiles and densities. In this work, we describe the underlying algorithms of a publicly available software that retrieves the density profile of cylindrically symmetric gaseous jets and laser-induced plasmas from interferograms. Additionally, it can estimate the density distribution for asymmetric targets. Developed in Python 3.11, the software retrieves the integrated phase shift recorded in a laser beam as it propagates through a target and then calculates the corresponding radial density profile, along with its uncertainties. The software has a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows the user to refine calculations easily, as well as generate figures and data tables for external processing.
Authors
- Ricardo Elgul Samad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7762-8961)
- J. Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9329-2457)
- Edison Puig Maldonado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9462-8151)
- Nilson Dias Vieira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0092-9357)
- Armando V. F. Zuffi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5705-1499)
Institutions
- Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (BR)
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (BR)
- National Nuclear Energy Commission (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Applied Optics
- Published
- 2025-03-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.557622
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Laser Design and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.46