Fast holographic filming of laser plasma

A two-wavelength high-speed holographic cinematography, integral and time-resolved spectroscopy and splite unfolding methods were used in an investigation of a laser plasma initiated at the surfaces of metal samples by laser pulses. The temporal evolution of the electron densities and heavy particle concentrations was determined and a study was made of the nature of motion of a shock wave front. A weak dependence of the evolution of the shock wave velocity on the target materials (aluminum, copper, zinc, led, indium) was observed in the average power density range (10⁶ - 10⁷ W/cm²). A faster increase in the dimensions of a refracting plasma region, compared to a luminous region, and strong expulsion of cold air by an erosion plasma were recorded.