Femtosecond laser guiding of high-voltage discharge and the restoration of dielectric strength

摘要

The use of a low energy, high peak intensity femtosecond laser pulse is investigated for guiding and control of a sub-microsecond high voltage discharge. Study of the early streamer formation and measurements of the field required for breakdown in air and nitrogen are presented. Direct imaging of the breakdown discharge and effective laser guiding are shown to be critically dependent on the laser focusing geometry, timing, and location relative to the electrodes.