Creation of an Extended Continuous Ionization Region in Atmospheric Aerosol by Laser Radiation

Abstract

To form plasma antennas in different radio and telecommunication devices it is necessary to increase the relaxation time of laser breakdown centers. To solve this problem, processes running in aerodisperse media with solid microparticles during interaction with laser radiation are considered. The decay time of plasma with aerosol particles under the action of nanosecond and microsecond laser pulses is analyzed. The effect of the electron shell around solid microparticles on the creation of a continuous ionization zone in an aerosol atmosphere formed by overlapping plasma halos around microparticles has been estimated. The conditions necessary for the generation of a long ionized channel by breakdown centers during explosive evaporation of atmospheric microparticles in the zone of action of a nanosecond CO₂ laser pulse and the further maintenance of the generated plasma by microsecond laser radiation are considered. A scheme of an experimental setup for creating a long ionized channel in an aerosol atmosphere is suggested. The results can be used for creation of wireless communication channels in the atmosphere.