Dynamics of the potential of a charged target subjected to a laser plasma

The evolution of the potential of a charged metal target subjected to a laser plasma and a current in a plasma-target system has been studied. Two stages are found in the evolution of the potential: one fast and one slow. The change in the potential is caused by a redistribution of the charge between the target and the halo of UV ionization of the air. The current amplitude is found for various energy densities of laser radiation at lambda = 10.6 and 1.06 microns, for various geometric dimensions of the plasma, and for various air pressures.