Geometric optics model of Thomson scattering enhanced by parametric coupling

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Abstract
We formulate a theory of Thomson scattering (TS) from inhomogeneous plasmas using a ray-tracing approach. The scattered radiation is described within the eikonal approximation, including convective gain arising from scattering instabilities driven by the TS probe laser. In the limit of a weak probe and vanishing gain, the theory recovers the standard TS cross section and scattered power due to volumetric particle noise. The ray-tracing formalism is implemented in a TS fitting framework, enabling accurate analysis of inhomogeneous plasmas whose background profiles can be provided by large-scale hydrodynamic simulations or experimental diagnostics. Several examples of synthetic TS spectra are presented, and further extensions of the theory are discussed.
Funding Information
  • Fusion Energy Sciences (DE-SC0024863)
  • National Nuclear Security Administration (DE-NA0004144)

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