Water shock wave emanated from the roughened end surface of an optical fiber by pulse laser input

Abstract

Abstract We have discovered an interesting effect of surface roughness of optical fiber on the generated shock pressure pulse in the case of an intense laser pulse input. The phenomenon of shock strengthening by roughening the end surface of the optical fiber has been found. Water shock waves emanated from the fiber end surface have been evidenced by the laser shadowgraph technique. Other interesting features are the use of aluminium coating to enhance the shock pressure, repeated but finite lifetime of the effect of the surface roughness, bubble formation, etc. The detailed physics of these phenomena is unknown.