Observation of relativistic effects in collective Thomson scattering.
We observe relativistic modifications to the Thomson scattering spectrum in a traditionally classical regime: v(osc)/c = eE(0)/cmomega(0) << 1 and T(e) < 1 keV. The modifications result from scattering off electron-plasma fluctuations with relativistic phase velocities. Normalized phase velocities v/c between 0.03 and 0.12 have been achieved in a N(2) gas-jet plasma by varying the plasma density from 3 x 10(18) cm(-3) to 7 x 10(19) cm(-3) and electron temperature between 85 and 700 eV. For these conditions, the complete temporally resolved Thomson scattering spectrum including the electron and ion features has been measured. A relativistic treatment of the Thomson scattering form factor shows excellent agreement with the experimental data.
Ross
J S
JS
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551, USA.
Glenzer
S H
SH
Palastro
J P
JP
Pollock
B B
BB
Price
D
D
Divol
L
L
Tynan
G R
GR
Froula
D H
DH