Abstract
On the surface of a Cu target irradiated by a uv N2 laser (TEA, pulse duration 300 ps, peak power 1 MW) a metallic plasma is generated due to the high brightness of the laser operating at atmospheric pressure. An interferometric study also using subnanosecond pulses from a N2 laser (1 bar) demonstrates the development of shock wave and plasma with high temporal and spatial resolution. The plasma with an initial pressure of 2000 bar and a temperature of 30 000 K is capable of igniting a combustible mixture of CH4‐O2. A new method for optical synchronization is well proved, delivering pictures as soon as 30 ns after plasma onset.