Optics Letters · 1988 · 23 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesPhysicsAtmospheric ScienceOpticsPlasma PhysicsAerosol PhysicsAerosol ScienceAtmospheric OpticsLaser OpticsLaser PhysicsLaser-plasma InteractionsAerosol Optical PropertiesAerosol-radiation InteractionsAtmospheric PropagationElectromagnetically Induced TransparencyPlasma FormationTransparency
The transmission characteristics of a high-power CO(2)-laser beam through a single water aerosol particle are studied. It is found that before the onset of plasma formation there is a sizable range of laser intensity where the medium becomes almost totally transparent. A plausible argument for this induced transparency is given in terms of particle disintegration. This effect may have applications in laser atmospheric propagation.