Laser-driven shock waves in an aerosol-induced breakdown in air

Aerosol-induced breakdown strongly limits the propagation of high-power laser pulses through the atmosphere. Indeed, when air breaks down due to an intense laser pulse, the high-pressure, high-density plasma generated is highly absorbing to the incident laser radiation. Plasma expands, fills the laser beam, and subsequently blocks off the laser energy. The purpose of this paper is to present a simple hydrodynamical model to simulate the development of the plasma resulting from the breakdown initiated by the aerosols hanging in the air. This model describes the expansion of an unsteady spherical shock wave. Experimental investigations (timeintegrated, framing, streak, and schlieren photographs recording the plasma luminosity and shock wave) have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the model.