Aerosol−induced air breakdown with CO2 laser radiation

Abstract

The breakdown threshold with 10.6−μ wavelength CO2 laser radiation induced by particles is reported. Single solid particles of different materials and sizes were suspended electrodynamically at the focus of a pulsed TEA laser and the thresholds for vaporization and also for particle−induced breakdown were measured. Th threshold intensity for breakdown is of the order 108 W/cm2, independent of particle size and material and represents the limiting intensity that can be propagated through an aerosol−laden atmosphere.