Striated filamentary sparks produced by a CO/sub 2/ TEA laser

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Opt. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.4.000369· OSTI ID:5863342

Schmieder, R W

Sparks in the form of long, thin filaments having quasi-periodic longitudinal light and dark regions (striations) in time-integrated images have been ovserved in various gases using a CO/sub 2/ TEA laser. Typically, a 50-mJ pulse will produce a filament 1 cm long and 130 ..mu..m in diameter, with more than 150 striations spaced 50 ..mu..m apart in atmospheric air. Each striation is associated with the formation of a plasma region by one pulse in train of pulses from the mode-locked laser, and the filament results from the formation of successive (nearly identical) region, each displaced from the previous one toward the laser. The possible use of these sparks as a light source in diagnostics is noted.

• Research Organization: Sandia Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550
• OSTI ID: 5863342
• Journal Information: Opt. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Opt. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 4:11; ISSN OPLED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
AIR
ALKANES
ARGON
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC SPARKS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GAS LASERS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
LASERS
LOW PRESSURE
MEDIUM PRESSURE
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLASMA FILAMENT
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PULSES
RARE GASES
STRIATIONS
TIME DEPENDENCE