Optical discharge modes supported by a pulsed CO2-laser with continuous pumping and Q-switching

Abstract: In the experiments with the repetitively pulsed power of a cw-pumped CO₂ laser with Q-switching (CPQS), the dynamics of the glow of the optical discharge in the subsonic argon flow is determined. For the first time, the specific features of the laser plasma emission are revealed: a two-lobe structure at the early stage of the discharge process followed by appearance of the extended glow region in the laser beam in front of the plasma. The obtained experimental data as compared with the calculated results of spatiotemporal scales of laser plasma at the initial stage of the process indicate non-characteristic sequence of discharge propagation regimes – from the light-detonation wave to the fast ionization wave.

Keywords: СО₂ laser, Q-switching, optical pulsed discharge, propagation regimes, laser plasma glow, spatiotemporal scales, light supported detonation wave, fast ionization wave.