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Updated: May 10, 2026
11:20
Investigation of Early Plasma Evolution Induced by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Published on: July 2, 2012
Laser-induced plasma cloud interaction and ice multiplication under cirrus cloud conditions.
Thomas Leisner1, Denis Duft, Ottmar Möhler
1Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. thomas.leisner@kit.edu
Summary
Laser-induced plasma channels significantly enhance ice formation in thin cirrus clouds, increasing ice particle density by 100 times. This discovery offers new methods for remote sensing of atmospheric water vapor and ice.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Plasma Physics
- Cloud Physics
Background:
- The influence of lightning-induced plasma on cloud processes remains debated.
- Previous research has not definitively established plasma's role in ice formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between laser-generated plasma channels and water/ice clouds.
- To determine plasma's effect on ice formation and precipitation under varied cloud conditions.
Main Methods:
- Experiments conducted in a large cloud simulation chamber.
- Simulated conditions of typical storm clouds and thin cirrus clouds.
- Utilized laser-generated plasma channels to interact with cloud particles.
Main Results:
- No significant impact on ice formation or precipitation in simulated storm clouds.
- Observed a strong ice multiplication effect (up to 100x increase in particle density) in thin cirrus clouds.
- Plasma channels led to a rapid decrease in water vapor pressure and a significant increase in cloud optical thickness.
Conclusions:
- Laser-induced plasma can dramatically enhance ice formation in specific cloud types (thin cirrus).
- A proposed model explains the observed ice multiplication through ice vaporization and subsequent condensation on plasma ions.
- Findings suggest potential for new remote sensing techniques for upper tropospheric water vapor and ice.
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