A one-dimensional intensity threshold for the maintenance of laser-supported detonation (LSD) waves is calculated based on the free electron density at the Chapman-Jouguet point. A free electron density equal to 7% of the critical electron density correlates well with available experimental threshold intensity measure¬ments in air and with LASNEX calculations. Thresholds are calculated in air as a function of density. A minimum at about 2% of normal density is found for A = 10.6 /um, due to the effect of molecular binding energy, but no minimum is found for X = 1.06 um. For a given wavelength, a maximum height is found above which LSD waves cannot be maintained. Results are also given for argon.nFor intensities sufficiently high above threshold, we predict the existence of supercritical electron density at the Chapman-Jouguet point.
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