Laser-Assisted Guiding Of Electric Discharges Around Objects

Abstract

Electric breakdown in air occurs for electric fields exceeding 34 kV/cm and results in a large current surge that propagates along unpredictable trajectories. Guiding such currents across specific paths in a controllable manner could allow protection against lightning strikes and high-voltage capacitor discharges. Such capabilities can be used for delivering charge to specific targets, for electronic jamming, or for applications associated with electric welding and machining. We show that judiciously shaped laser radiation can be effectively used to manipulate the discharge along a complex path and to produce electric discharges that unfold along a predefined trajectory. Remarkably, such laser-induced arcing can even circumvent an object that completely occludes the line of sight.

Publication Date

6-1-2015

Publication Title

Science Advances

Volume

1

Issue

5

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1400111

Socpus ID

85033553241 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85033553241

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