Accession Number:

AD0656084

Title:

INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH GAS BREAKDOWN UNDER INTENSE OPTICAL ILLUMINATION

Descriptive Note:

Semi-annual rept. 1 Jan-30 Jun 1967

Corporate Author:

UNITED AIRCRAFT RESEARCH LABS EAST HARTFORD CT

Personal Author(s):

• Smith, David C.
• Haught, Alan F.

Report Date:

1967-07-28

Pagination or Media Count:

34.0

Abstract:

The work reported is part of a series of experimental and theoretical investigations of the mechanisms responsible for gas breakdown with focused optical frequency laser radiation. The effects of the mode structure of the laser radiation source on the gas breakdown threshold were studied. Experiments were also performed using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to observe the breakdown plasma density and to determine the persistence and growth rate of the associated blast wave. The development of a high-power CO2 laser with an output at 10.6-micron wavelength was continued.

Descriptors:

• *GAS IONIZATION
• *GAS LASERS
• CARBON DIOXIDE
• COHERENT RADIATION
• ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
• GAS DISCHARGES
• ILLUMINATION
• INTERFEROMETERS
• PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• SHOCK WAVES

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE