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Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia
Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia
Hellenic Mediterranean University , Heraklion , Greece
Physical Acoustics and Optoacoustics Laboratory, Music Technology and Acoustics Dept., Hellenic Mediterranean University , Heraklion , Greece
Department in Kragujevac, Academy of Professional Studies Šumadija , Kragujevac , Serbia
The study investigates the laser-induced breakdown (LIB) in gases, essential for plasma creation and rapid increase of free electron populations, highlighting its significance in scientific and technological areas like energy deposition and radiative emissions. It explores electron dynamics during LIB, emphasizing the need for precise free electron density analysis for modeling and controlling breakdown and secondary processes. The interaction between free electrons and heavy particles in a partially ionized medium is examined, necessitating a thorough understanding and control. A detailed analytical and numerical investigation into a free electron rate model for air plasmas triggered by nanosecond laser pulses is presented. This model, incorporating multiphoton and cascade ionization, electron diffusion, recombination, and attachment, provides a closed-form expression validated by experimental simulations. It accurately predicts electron density evolution under varying laser intensities and focal sizes and explores plasma response to different laser parameters. This work offers insights into plasma characteristics' dependency on laser settings, aiding in complex models for electron and ion temperature evolution, thermoelastic expansion, and shock-wave phenomena post-LIB. This integrated approach enhances understanding of plasma dynamics induced by nanosecond laser pulses, benefiting scientific and technological applications involving LIB.
analytical solution, numerical simulations, laser-induced breakdown, nanosecond laser gas ionization
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