High-speed multiframe interferometry in a laser beam

A description is given of high-speed multiframe interferometry for investigating the spatial distribution of the electron density in plasmas. Special attention is paid to a method for synchronizing a laser source of probe radiation pulses of $\lesssim$1 nsec duration with the beginning of the process being investigated. It is shown that the proposed method can be used for effective monitoring of the degree of symmetry of a laser plasma during the initial stage of expansion after spherical irradiation of a target.