INVESTIGATION OF GAS-DYNAMIC PROCESSES INITIATED BY A DISCRETE LASER-INDUCED SPARK IN AIR

A numerical model is proposed that describes the formation and disintegration of the plasma channel of a discrete laser-induced spark on the basis of shock wave interaction with hot gas regions forming in sites of breakdown. Conditions are obtained for the formation of a continuous rarefied channel for discrete (with respect to space) energy release. The dependence of the behavior of gas-dynamic processes on the density of energy release and on the distance between sites of breakdown is investigated. The calculation results are compared with the available experimental data.