Resonant self-focusing in a CO2-N2 mixture
Abstract
The self-focusing of CO2 laser radiation in a CO2-N2 mixture is studied numerically in the quasi-optical approximation on the basis of the parabolic equation for the complex electric-field amplitude. The absorption of the laser radiation is assumed to be linear, and conditions are investigated under which self-focusing due to kinetic cooling might be observed in experiments. Results of numerical simulations are presented which show that unsteady-state thermal self-focusing due to kinetic cooling in the CO2-N2 mixture has a substantial effect on the laser pulse shape and that, at high temperatures, the effect may be considerable at distances of the order of 1 m. It is concluded that self-focusing of the type examined should be detectable in experiments.
- Publication:
-
PMTF Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki
- Pub Date:
- January 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981PMTF...21...50V
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Nitrogen Lasers;
- Optical Resonance;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Self Focusing;
- Thermal Blooming;
- Electromagnetic Absorption;
- Gas Mixtures;
- Light Beams;
- Molecular Relaxation;
- Lasers and Masers