title: Optimization of confocal laser induced fluorescence in a plasma.
abstract: Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) provides measurements of flow speed, temperature, and density of ions or neutrals in a plasma. Traditionally, a LIF measurement requires two ports on a plasma device; one for laser injection and one for emission collection. Proper alignment of LIF optics is time consuming and sensitive to mechanical vibration. We describe a confocal configuration for LIF that requires a single port and requires no alignment. The measurement location is scanned radially by physically moving the entire optical structure. Confocal LIF measurements are compared to traditional LIF measurements over the same radial range.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: VanDervort
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCarren
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soderholm
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sears
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scime