Abstract

A new radial focusing device is described that condenses an incident laser beam to an extremely intense and uniformly illuminated focal spot. The focal region is useful for many applications. When used with a 10.6-μm CO₂ TEA laser source, a disk-shaped air-breakdown spark results, and the properties of this spark have been investigated.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Focused Beam and Atmospheric Coherence Measurements at 10.6 μm and 0.63 μm

Thomas J. Gilmartin and James Z. Holtz
Appl. Opt. 13(8) 1906-1912 (1974)

Computational fluid-dynamic model of laser-induced breakdown in air

Ivan G. Dors and Christian G. Parigger
Appl. Opt. 42(30) 5978-5985 (2003)

High Power Nd:Glass Laser for Fusion Applications

J. Soures, S. Kumpan, and J. Hoose
Appl. Opt. 13(9) 2081-2094 (1974)

Laser Induced Damage to Optical Materials, 1973: a Conference Report

Alexander J. Glass and Arthur H. Guenther
Appl. Opt. 13(1) 74-88 (1974)

Shock Wave Generation in Air and in Water by CO₂ TEA Laser Radiation

C. E. Bell and B. S. Maccabee
Appl. Opt. 13(3) 605-609 (1974)