Experimental study of radiative and gasdynamic processes developing under the action of high-power laser pulses at a wavelength of 10.6 microns on solid material in a gas medium

Experiments were conducted to study radiative and gasdynamic processes occurring under the action of high-power (1.5 GW) pulses from an electroionization CO2-laser on solid targets (e.g., aluminum) in air and rare gases in the pressure range 0.1-760 mm Hg and power densities of 5 x 10 to the 6th to 5 x 10 to the 8th W/sq cm. It is shown that a laser-radiation absorption wave determining the interaction pattern is generated at pressures higher than several mm Hg in the gas surrounding the target. Optical-detonation, subsonic, and supersonic radiative regimes of absorption-wave propagation are investigated for high areas (up to 20 sq cm) of the irradiated spot.