A Thomson scattering post-processor for the MEDUSA hydrocode

In order to understand the physical processes that occur in laser-produced plasmas it is necessary to diagnose the time-dependent hydrodynamic conditi ons. Thomson scattering is, in principle, an ideal diagnostic as it provide s a non-intrusive method of measuring ion and electron temperature, electro n density, plasma velocity, and heat flow. We describe here a post-processo r for the MEDUSA hydrocode that simulates streak camera images of the Thoms on spectra. The post-processor can be used in three ways: (1) creating simu lated streak camera images that can be compared directly with experimental data, (2) evaluating experimental designs to determine the viability of the Thomson scattering diagnostic, and (3) as an automated data analysis routi ne for extracting hydrodynamic parameters from a calibrated experimental st reak camera image. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.