Generation of Electric and Magnetic Fields during High-Intensity Laser Radiation Propagation through the Atmosphere

Results are presented of the experimental study of electric and magnetic fields generated during pulsed laser radiation propagation along atmospheric paths in breakdown and prebreakdown modes. Generation of quasi-periodic electric and magnetic fields with a frequency of 105–106 Hz and duration of 10–100 μs during propagation of microsecond CO2 laser pulses through the atmosphere in these modes is ascertained. The maximum values of the induced electric and magnetic fields are observed when the number of breakdown centers per unit path length Nc = 0.17 m−1. The connection of electric and magnetic fields generated around the ionization channel with the atmospheric parameters is shown.