Quadrature interferometer for plasma density measurements

Abstract

An interferometer has been developed with which it is possible to make accurate plasma density measurements in the presence of density gradients. A modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer employing a linearly polarized scene beam and a circularly polarized reference beam generates signals proportional to the sine and cosine of the phase shift introduced by the plasma. The differential sensitivity of the phase shift measurements is independent of the instantaneous phase angle, and the phase angle may be unambiguously followed through multifringe excursions of the interferometer. The phase shift measurement is also independent of fringe contrast fluctuations caused by the refractive bending of the scene beam by the plasma.