Transversely propagating light discharges and flares from moving laser beams-a new class of light and gas-dynamical effects
Askar'yan G. A., Manzon B. M.
A new class of radiation and gas-dynamical effects — the transverse propagation of light discharges and flares produced by a moving laser beam—has been investigated. Oblique and curved plasma lines and surfaces have been obtained experimentally. The conditions for maintaining and terminating discharge propagation are given. It is shown to be possible to track the discharge behind a beam moving with a high velocity which is comparable to that of light detonation and to control the discharge propagation by moving the beam.