Abstract
Some mechanisms of the formation of an extended (∼1 km) conducting channel in atmosphere using the laser engine technology (Impul'sar program) are considered. The electric conductivity of a channel formed by electric explosion of a 90-μm copper wire up to ∼1.6 m long (in electric breakdown) at a voltage not higher than 10 kV is studied. The requirements to the products of laser engine exhaust to atmosphere for producing a conducting channel, containing dispersion and condensation aerosols of hot particles of copper oxides (CuO, Cu2O) and copper with an oxidised surface (from 50 nm to 300 μm in diameter), are formulated. Possible mechanisms of electric breakdown at the field strength E ≥ 52 V cm-1 in the discharge gap are discussed. The electric conductivity of the channel formed by the laser plasma upon focusing the solid-state laser radiation on targets made of different materials has also been studied.