Femtosecond ultraviolet laser pulse induced lightning discharges in gases

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/3.364418· OSTI ID:32011

Zhao, X M; Diels, J C ^[1]; Wang, C Y ^[2]; Elizondo, J M ^[3]

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1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
2. Oak Ridge National, TN (United States). Fusion Energy Division
3. Voss Scientific, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Ultraviolet pulses of 200 fs duration and low energy ({approximately}0.2 mJ) have sufficiently high peak power to ionize oxygen and nitrogen by three- and four-photon ionization, respectively. It is shown that the resultant ionization channel induces a lightning like discharge at half of the natural self-breakdown voltage in nitrogen or air. The laser triggered discharging process is studied by monitoring the voltage between two planar electrodes. The effects of oxygen on the induced breakdown is investigated. A complete theoretical model is presented to simulate (1) the electron seeding and (2) the evolution of the plasma of electron-ion in the applied field. The results of the theory verified by small scale experiments are used to simulate the process of laser triggered lightning in atmosphere, and helps to define the parameters of a laser system for lightning protection.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 32011
• Journal Information: IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Journal Name: IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 31; ISSN 0018-9197; ISSN IEJQA7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LIGHTNING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PULSES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION