Abstract

An unusual application of the laser, namely protection of life and property from lightning, is described. The device relies on multiphoton ionization in mode-locked beams, rather than on collisional (avalanche) electron production. Feasibility is demonstrated numerically, and relevant principles explained. A method of mobile deployment is mentioned, by which economic (as opposed to scientific) feasibility might be achieved.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Optical Parallelism Measurement of Ruby Laser Rods

Ta-Keng Wang, Po-Chuan Tsui, In-Cheer Kuo, and Horng Chang
Appl. Opt. 13(6) 1379-1382 (1974)

Integrated Laser/Radar Satellite Ranging and Tracking System

F. E. Hoge
Appl. Opt. 13(10) 2352-2358 (1974)

Airborne Laser Doppler Velocimeter

Robert M. Muñoz, Hans W. Mocker, and Lyle Koehler
Appl. Opt. 13(12) 2890-2898 (1974)

Flashlamp Discharge and Laser Efficiency

R. H. Dishington, W. R. Hook, and R. P. Hilberg
Appl. Opt. 13(10) 2300-2312 (1974)

Effects of System Inaccuracies on the Probability of Bit Error for Pulsed Communication Systems

Paul J. Titterton
Appl. Opt. 13(5) 1034-1040 (1974)