The meaning of time-resolved Thomson scattering spectrum output from a grating spectrometer

Abstract

Time-resolved spectra are often recorded in optical Thomson scattering experiments of laser-produced plasmas. In this article, the meaning of time-resolved spectrum output from a grating spectrometer is examined. Our results show that the recorded signal is indeed a convolution of the response function of the dispersion element and the product of the instant local dynamic form factor and electron density when the plasma evolves slowly; the plasma varies very little in the time duration of the scattering light passing through the scattering volume.