Ignition of laser detonation waves

Abstract

The ignition of laser‐supported detonation waves is caused by the thermomechanical response of the target. The blown‐off material acts as an accelerating piston creating a shock wave in air. The small amount of free electrons created by the shock wave is cascaded to plasma densities by light absorption. The theory explains a number of conclusions which have been experimentally verified. Numerical results agree with observed data.