DETERMINATION OF THE OPTICAL-BREAKDOWN
THRESHOLD UNDER IRRADIATION OF CONDENSED
INCLUSIONS BY PULSED LASER RADIATION

K. N. Volkov and V. N. Emel'yanov

UDC 532.529:536.24

On the basis of the thermal approach, a mathematical model 
of the optical breakdown on condensed inclusions exposed to pulsed 
laser radiation is developed. As individual stages of the process, 
we consider the particle heating and evaporation, the formation of 
a vapor aureole and its ionization, as well as the propagation of 
shock waves in the space surrounding the particle. The threshold 
characteristics of the laser-beam parameters sufficient for initiating 
an optical breakdown on metal and dielectric particles, as well as 
on dielectric liquid drops are determined.

D. F. Ustinov Baltic State Technical University "Voenmekh," 
1, 1st Krasnoarmeiskaya Str., St. Petersburg, 190005, Russia. Translated 
from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 78, No. 6, pp. 106-117, 
November-December, 2005. Original article submitted February 13, 
2004.