Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence as a Diagnostic for Determining Mass Distribution in Gas Puff PRS Loads

Abstract : In this work we report on our efforts to develop a laser induced fluorescence system (LIF), using nitric oxide (NO) as the tracer, to determine the mass distribution in a gas puff nozzle assembly used as a z-pinch plasma radiation source load. The same assembly has also been extensively studied at NRL using laser interferometry at Titan, Pulsed Sciences Division using LIF with acetone as the tracer. Preliminary results indicate that the NO-LIF, laser interferometry and the previous LIF results agree to within 20%. Concentrations of NO less than 0.1% can be used.