Experimental Investigation of Ultrashort Pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Thresholds in Aqueous Media,

Abstract

Laser induced breakdown (LIB) thresholds are determined for pulse durations of 2.4 PS, 400 fs, and 100 fs at 580 nm in high purity water, saline and tap water. The dependence of LIB irradiance thresholds on pulse duration, optical wavelength, and focal volume is examined, and the experimental data obtained is compared with a theoretical model. The slopes of the probability curves calculated are compared with mechanisms for LIB, namely avalanche ionization, multiphoton initiated avalanche ionization, and multiphoton ionization. Lastly, the dependence of the peak breakdown electric field on pulse duration and focal volume is empirically determined and compared with previous work.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA309634

Entities

People

  • Benjamin A. Rockwell
  • Daniel X. Hammer
  • Gary D. Noojin
  • Paul K. Kennedy
  • Robert J. Thomas

Organizations

  • Armstrong Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Experimental Data
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Pulses
  • Laser Safety
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Probability
  • Quantum Electronics
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy