Graphical user interface algorithms to retrieve cylindrically symmetric gas jet and laser-induced plasma densities from interferograms

Abstract

Efficient and accurate characterization of gaseous jets and laser-induced plasmas plays a crucial role in implementing laser wakefield accelerator setups and other laser-plasma-based experiments. Interferometry is largely used worldwide as a diagnostic tool to measure these target profiles and densities. In this work, we describe the underlying algorithms of a publicly available software that retrieves the density profile of cylindrically symmetric gaseous jets and laser-induced plasmas from interferograms. Additionally, it can estimate the density distribution for asymmetric targets. Developed in Python 3.11, the software retrieves the integrated phase shift recorded in a laser beam as it propagates through a target and then calculates the corresponding radial density profile, along with its uncertainties. The software has a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows the user to refine calculations easily, as well as generate figures and data tables for external processing.