Nonlinear propagation of laser radiation in a solid-particle aerosol

Abstract

An experimental investigation was made of the nonlinear propagation of λ = 1.06 μ laser pulses in an aerosol formed from corundum particles. The radiation attenuation coefficient was found to increase beyond I1.600.1 MW/cm2 but fell in the range I1.0602 MW/cm2. This bleaching of the aerosol was accompanied by the motion of particles at velocities of 10–30 m/sec and by their luminescence. The effects were attributed to an anomalous increase in the absorption coefficient of corundum due to interaction of the particles with the laser radiation.