A novel scheme combining interferometer and refractometer for simultaneous plasma density and plasma density gradient measurements is described. The scheme employs a ribbon laser beam obtained from one-dimensional laser beam expansion by a pair of cylindrical lenses. This beam shape allows measurements at several spatial locations simultaneously. The beam deflection measurements give additional important information on the spatial distribution of plasma density gradient in the direction perpendicular to the major axis of the expanded beam. Fast pin photodiodes are used as light detectors for temporal resolution better than 1 ns. The high power (700 mW) of the argon ion laser allows 0.1° phase resolution and simultaneously 0.1 mrad refractional deflection angle resolution. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.