Experimental study reveals ideal shock wave dynamics and stepwise plasma expansion across multiple gases, suggesting ionization models accurately describe laser-driven plasma growth.
The expansion of plasmas produced by a mode-locked Nd:glass laser has been studied. With help of the second harmonic radiation of the laser itself the shock waves in the initial stages after breakdown are recorded. With a streak camera the time development of the plasma depending on the gas pressure and the focal length of the focusing lens was studied in He, Ar, Kr, Xe, N2, CO2 and SF6. While the shock waves obey the well known relations for ideal shock waves, the stepwise plasma expansion towards the lens can be described by a simple ionization model.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Meyer et al. (1977) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: