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Hole-boring in clouds by high-intensity laser beams: theory.
Applied Optics
|February 23, 2010
Summary
High-intensity infrared laser beams can bore holes in clouds and fogs. Significant laser power, from kilowatts to megawatts, is needed, with large-scale fog dispersal being energy-intensive.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric physics
- Laser-matter interactions
- Optical engineering
Background:
- Clouds and fogs pose challenges for visibility and solar energy.
- Laser technology offers potential for atmospheric modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the physics of hole-boring in clouds and fogs using high-intensity infrared laser beams.
- Provide analytical expressions for phenomena related to laser-induced atmospheric modification.
- Estimate required laser powers for various atmospheric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Zeroth-order approximation for laser-matter interaction physics.
- Derivation of simple analytical expressions.
- Application of models to different cloud and fog types.
Main Results:
- Analytical expressions describing laser hole-boring phenomena were obtained.
- Order-of-magnitude estimates for laser power requirements were calculated.
- Hole-boring in light fogs requires >100 kW; thicker clouds require >10 MW.
Conclusions:
- Laser-induced hole-boring in clouds and fogs is theoretically feasible.
- Significant laser power is necessary, increasing with atmospheric density.
- Large-scale fog dispersal via lasers is likely not cost-effective due to high energy demands.
