Femtosecond laser guiding of a high-voltage discharge and the restoration of dielectric strength in air and nitrogen

The use of a low energy, high peak intensity (>100 TW/cm2) femtosecond laser pulse is investigated for guiding and control of a sub-microsecond high voltage discharge. Study of the laser induced plasma channel and measurements of the field required for breakdown in air and nitrogen at atmospheric...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2012-12, Vol.19 (12)
Main Authors: Leonov, S. B., Firsov, A. A., Shurupov, M. A., Michael, J. B., Shneider, M. N., Miles, R. B., Popov, N. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AIR
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
BREAKDOWN
Channels
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
Discharge
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
Femtosecond
FOCUSING
High voltages
LASERS
NITROGEN
PLASMA
Plasmas
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Summary:The use of a low energy, high peak intensity (>100 TW/cm2) femtosecond laser pulse is investigated for guiding and control of a sub-microsecond high voltage discharge. Study of the laser induced plasma channel and measurements of the field required for breakdown in air and nitrogen at atmospheric pressure are presented. Direct imaging of the dynamics of the discharge breakdown shows effective laser guiding. The effectiveness of laser guiding is shown to be critically dependent on the laser focusing geometry, timing, and location relative to the electrodes.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/1.4769261