Open AccessLaser-filamentation-induced water condensation and snow formation in a cloud chamber filled with different ambient gases
Author(s) -
Yonghong Liu,
Haiyi Sun,
Jiansheng Liu,
Hong Liang,
Jian Ju,
Zhihui Wang,
Ye Tian,
Cheng Wang,
Yi Liu,
See Leang Chin,
Ruxin Li
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.007364
Subject(s) - filamentation , cloud chamber , materials science , condensation , argon , helium , snow , femtosecond , absorption (acoustics) , laser , airflow , precipitation , optics , atomic physics , meteorology , physics , thermodynamics , nuclear physics , composite material
We investigated femtosecond laser-filamentation-induced airflow, water condensation and snow formation in a cloud chamber filled respectively with air, argon and helium. The mass of snow induced by laser filaments was found being the maximum when the chamber was filled with argon, followed by air and being the minimum with helium. We also discussed the mechanisms of water condensation in different gases. The results show that filaments with higher laser absorption efficiency, which result in higher plasma density, are beneficial for triggering intense airflow and thus more water condensation and precipitation.