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. 1991 Jul 20;30(21):3041-6.
doi: 10.1364/AO.30.003041.

Cloud hole boring with long pulse CO(2) lasers: theory and experiment

G P Quigley, R B Webster, E J Caramana, R L Morse, G W York

Cloud hole boring with long pulse CO(2) lasers: theory and experiment

G P Quigley et al. Appl Opt. .

Abstract

Chemically generated CO(2) laser pulses at 10.6 microm have been used to clear a 5-cm diameter hole through a stratus-like cloud in a laboratory cloud chamber. The results show that 100% clearing can be achieved. The mechanism is shown to be droplet shattering followed by evaporation. In the experimental conditions, the channel closure is effected by turbulent mixing and droplet recondensation.

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