Laser-plasma generation of currents along a conductive target

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Abstract
Large electric currents have been observed along conductive targets on which plasma was initiated by means of spatially modulated radiation. Two successive pulses of TEA CO2laser with intensities I≤109 W/cm2 were used in the experiments. The most effective generation of the currents was observed during the second laser pulse delayed for 4 μs, when an asymmetric plasma ‘‘grating’’ was produced on the target. Two different mechanisms for generating such currents in a closed circuit have been established. One of them results from a dipole moment of plasma, while the other is due to the processes at plasma-surface interface. To obtain correct measurements of the voltage induced by a laser plasma, a fiber optical modulator of light has been used for the first time.