Development of a laser diagnostic system at PBFA II for light-ion-beam research

Summary Form only given, as follows. A Nd:YAG laser system is under development at the BPFA II. Diagnostic applications of the system will include the time- and space-resolved holographic interferometry of anode and cathode plasmas, as well as plasmas associated with light-ion-driven hydrodynamic targets. A further development may include an X-ray backlighting capability. Experiments on PBFA II that will expand on data obtained previously on Proto I are being prepared, motivated by an interpretation of results on anode and cathode plasma evolution in Proto-I experiments. The results are relevant in that the diode geometry (barrel type), applied-B, and flashover anode sources are similar to those being studied on PBFA II. Experiments on PBFA II will attempt to probe higher plasma densities, since it is believed that their behavior is correlated with high divergence in ion beam diodes.<>