Modeling of air breakdown by single-mode and multi-mode lasers

Andrea Alberti, Alessandro Munafò, Carlos Pantano, Jonathan B. Freund, Marco Panesi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We present a physics-based non-equilibrium plasma model for Laser Induced Breakdown (LIB). Here, we consider the influence of mode-beating pulse on the plasma generation. The system of chemically reactive Navier-Stokes equations describes the hydrodynamics and non-equilibrium effects are accounted for by means of a two-temperature model for heavy-particles and free-electrons. The non-equilibrium radiation model is based on a kinetic approach for the photons (radiative transfer equation formulation). Inverse Bremsstrahlung, multiphoton ionization, chemical kinetics and shock wave dynamics are taken into account. Simulations were conducted in quiescent ambient air at atmospheric pressure. The computed absorbed energy is in good agreement with the experiments for both the single-mode and multi-mode laser operating configuration; the kernel formation and dynamics depends on the mode-beating pulse shape, as observed experimentally. The kernel structure for the multi-mode configuration appears periodic, with the distance between the scattered spots being a function of the modulating frequency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA Scitech 2019 Forum
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624105784
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
EventAIAA Scitech Forum, 2019 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Jan 7 2019Jan 11 2019

Publication series

NameAIAA Scitech 2019 Forum

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Scitech Forum, 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period1/7/191/11/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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