Probing heat diffusion after pulsed-laser-induced breakdown in a metal vapor

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Opt. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.7.000086· OSTI ID:5768427

Zapka, W; Tam, A C

We have used a pulsed dye-laser beam at 6010 A, of 1-..mu..sec duration and < or approx. =1-mJ energy, to produce a line plasma in a Cs metal vapor. This produces a line source of large thermal energy. The heat diffusion after the laser pulse can be studied by transmission monitoring of a weak cw He--Ne laser beam that is parallel to but separated from the pulse laser beam by an adjustable displacement. This is possible because the He--Ne beam is absorbed by the minority Cs/sub 2/ molecules but not by the majority Cs atoms; as the heat pulse diffuses through the probe beam, the transient temperature increase causes a corresponding change in the population distribution of the Cs/sub 2/ molecules and hence a transient increase in transmission of the probe beam. In other words, the Cs/sub 2/ workd like a thermometer. Our work demonstrates a new and simple method to measure heat diffusion in a well-defined geometry, and it is especially suitable for use in a hot corrosive system because it is a noncontact method.

• Research Organization: IBM Reseach Laboratory, San Jose, California 95193
• OSTI ID: 5768427
• Journal Information: Opt. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 7:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CESIUM
ENERGY ABSORPTION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
HEAT SOURCES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
PROBES
PULSES
VAPORS
ABSORPTION
ALKALI METALS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
700102* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Diagnostics