Using Thomson Scattering and Interferometry to Probe the Properties of a Laser Spark*

Over the course of several years, a spectrometer system was developed at the University of Rochester Extreme State Physics Laboratory for the purposes of capturing Thomson scattering spectra. With the system complete, we now perform benchmarking measurements to quantify the system's behavior. To this end, we make Thomson and interferometry measurements of a laser driven spark in air to probe plasma temperature and electron density.