Abstract
The formation of micron-size particles in a gas system induced by laser radiation was reported for the first time by Tam, Moe and Happer [1] in 1975. In their experiment the argon laser beam passing through a gas mixture of caesium vapour, hydrogen and helium induced the formation of small white particles identified as caesium-hydride crystals. The observed phenomenon was called “laser snow.” Since then the laser snow effect has been observed in several gases illuminated by different laser lines [2–11]. Due to chemical reactions induced by laser light in a given gas system and subsequent condensation and coagulation processes small particles of size varying from 0.5 µ to 4 µ are formed. The particles cause intense scattering of laser light and they can be easily recognized by eye in the form of falling snow. A typical velocity of fall is of the order of mm/s.
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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York
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Ernst, K. (1983). Laser Snow Effect in CS2 Vapour. In: Arecchi, F.T., Strumia, F., Walther, H. (eds) Advances in Laser Spectroscopy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3715-7_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3715-7_15
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