On laser air breakdown, threshold power and laser generated channel length
Abstract
A review is made of the experimental data for the air breakdown threshold power for lasers with wavelength of 0.6954mu to 389mu. A classical theory for the pulsed air breakdown is presented and is utilized to predict threshold power in clean air which is in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The laser absorption coefficient by the air plasma is discussed in the context of the laser generated channel. It is concluded that one may generate longer channels by controlling the electron density which can be accomplished by controlling the duration of the laser pulse.
- Publication:
-
Naval Research Lab. Report
- Pub Date:
- September 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983nrl..reptT....A
- Keywords:
-
- Laser Outputs;
- Laser Plasmas;
- Plasma Control;
- Air;
- Antennas;
- Data;
- Dirt;
- Electrical Faults;
- Electromagnetic Pulses;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Microwaves;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Ships;
- Lasers and Masers