Dynamics of a Shock Wave in Laser-Induced Surface Air Breakdown

The amplitude and the time of arrival of a shock wave have been measured experimentally and calculated numerically at different distances from the region of the surface air breakdown by the radiation of a single-pulse YAG:Nd3+ laser for energy densities of 2.5–570 J/cm2. Good agreement between the experimental and calculated values of the shock-wave amplitude beyond the breakdown region has been established. A more rapid propagation of the actual shock wave as compared to the calculated shock wave has been revealed for low energies of laser pulses, whereas a retarded propagation of the actual shock wave as compared to the calculated one has been revealed for high energies.