title: Optoelectronic modulation of a laser interferometer in the infrared for accurate electron density variation measurements.
abstract: An improved method for high-electron-density (10(17) cm(-3)) measurement in a shock-generated plasma is described. A laser interferometer operated at 3.39 mum is regularly modulated (1 MHz) by a LiNbO(3) electro-optical crystal. Thus electron-density variations of 8x10(15) cm(-3) mus(-1) and fluctuation of 8x10(14) cm(-3) can be simultaneously and accurately measured in a 4x4-cm conventional shock tube. Experimental results in reflected shock waves are presented.
authors.affiliation: D.E.P.E.G. Observatoire de Meudon, 92190 Meudon, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lesage
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charil
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Combier
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lebrun