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Aluminum-target-assisted femtosecond-laser-filament-induced water condensation and snow formation in a cloud chamber. Sci Rep 2018; 8:18080. [PMID: 30591707 PMCID: PMC6308231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36548-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We compare the water condensation and snow formation induced by a femtosecond laser filament with that when the filament is assisted by an aluminum target located at different positions along the filament. We reveal that the laser-filament-induced water condensation and snow formation assisted by the aluminum target are more efficient compared with those obtained without the assistance of the aluminum target. We find that the mass of the snow induced by the laser filament is the largest when the aluminum target is located at the end of the filament, smaller when it is at the middle of the filament, and the smallest at the beginning of the filament. These findings indicate that a higher plasma density and the generation of vortex pairs below the filament are important for enhancing the efficiency and yield of the laser-induced water condensation and precipitation. The higher plasma density provides more cloud condensation nuclei and facilitates the water condensation; vortex pairs below the filament are favourable to the growth of particles up to larger sizes.
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Sun H, Liu Y, Liu J, Su Z, Ju J, Hu X, Wang C, Wang T, Chin SL, Li R, Xu Z. Femtosecond laser filament-assisted AgI-type pyrotechnic nucleant-induced water condensation in cloud chamber. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:29687-29699. [PMID: 30469930 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.029687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
AgI-type pyrotechnics are widely used in the field of weather modification, as a kind of artificial ice nuclei. However, their precipitation yield remains an intensively studied area. In this paper, we present a study of AgI-type pyrotechnic nucleant-induced water condensation promoted by femtosecond laser filaments in a cloud chamber. It is found that when 50-ml sample was irradiated by the laser filaments, the particles condensed on the glass slide are more soluble and slightly larger (5-15 μm). The irradiation of the laser filament on the nucleant rarely induces the generation of particles of sizes larger than 1 μm; however, it increases the decay time of particles from 13 to 18 min by the creation of numerous small particles. The amount of snow on the cold bottom plate increases by 4.2-13.1% in 2 h, compared to that without the irradiation of the laser filament. These results are associated with the production of high-concentration HNO3 by the laser filament. The concentration of HNO3 in the melt water increases by more than ten times when the sample was irradiated by the laser filaments.
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Ju J, Sun H, Hu X, Liu Y, Liu Y, Wang J, Wang C, Wang TJ, Guo X, Liu J, Chin SL, Li R, Xu Z. Temporal evolution of condensation and precipitation induced by a 22-TW laser. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:2785-2793. [PMID: 29401814 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.002785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Water condensation and precipitation induced by 22-TW 800-nm laser pulses at 1 Hz in an open cloud chamber were investigated in a time-resolved manner. Two parts of precipitation in two independent periods of time were observed directly following each laser shot. One part started around the filament zone at t < 500 μs and ended at t ≅ 1.5 ms after the arrival of the femtosecond laser pulse. The other following the laser-induced energetic air motion (turbulence), started at t ≅ 20 ms and ended at t ≅ 120 ms. Meanwhile, the phase transitions of large-size condensation droplets with diameters of 400-500 μm from liquid to solid (ice) in a cold area (T < -30 °C) were captured at t ≅ 20 ms.
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Wolf JP. Short-pulse lasers for weather control. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:026001. [PMID: 28783040 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation of ultra-short TW-class lasers recently opened new perspectives in atmospheric research. Laser filaments are self-sustained light structures of 0.1-1 mm in diameter, spanning over hundreds of meters in length, and producing a low density plasma (1015-1017 cm-3) along their path. They stem from the dynamic balance between Kerr self-focusing and defocusing by the self-generated plasma and/or non-linear polarization saturation. While non-linearly propagating in air, these filamentary structures produce a coherent supercontinuum (from 230 nm to 4 µm, for a 800 nm laser wavelength) by self-phase modulation (SPM), which can be used for remote 3D-monitoring of atmospheric components by Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging). However, due to their high intensity (1013-1014 W cm-2), they also modify the chemical composition of the air via photo-ionization and photo-dissociation of the molecules and aerosols present in the laser path. These unique properties were recently exploited for investigating the capability of modulating some key atmospheric processes, like lightning from thunderclouds, water vapor condensation, fog formation and dissipation, and light scattering (albedo) from high altitude clouds for radiative forcing management. Here we review recent spectacular advances in this context, achieved both in the laboratory and in the field, reveal their underlying mechanisms, and discuss the applicability of using these new non-linear photonic catalysts for real scale weather control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Wolf
- Department of Applied Physics (GAP), University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Sun H, Liu Y, Ju J, Tian Y, Bai Y, Liu Y, Du S, Wang C, Wang T, Liu J, Chin SL, Li R, Xu Z. Picosecond laser-induced water condensation in a cloud chamber. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:20494-20506. [PMID: 27607654 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.020494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated water condensation in a laboratory cloud chamber induced by picosecond (ps) laser pulses at ~350 ps (800 nm/1-1000 Hz) with a maximum peak power of ~25 MW. The peak power was much lower than the critical power for self-focusing in air (~3-10 GW depending on the pulse duration). Sparks, airflow and snow formation were observed under different laser energies or repetition rates. It was found that weaker ps laser pulses can also induce water condensation by exploding and breaking down ice crystals and/or water droplets into tiny particles although there was no formation of laser filament. These tiny particles would grow until precipitation in a super-saturation zone due to laser-induced airflow in a cold region with a large temperature gradient.
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Ju J, Liu J, Liang H, Chen Y, Sun H, Liu Y, Wang J, Wang C, Wang T, Li R, Xu Z, Chin SL. Femtosecond laser filament induced condensation and precipitation in a cloud chamber. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25417. [PMID: 27143227 PMCID: PMC4855206 DOI: 10.1038/srep25417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A unified picture of femtosecond laser induced precipitation in a cloud chamber is proposed. Among the three principal consequences of filamentation from the point of view of thermodynamics, namely, generation of chemicals, shock waves and thermal air flow motion (due to convection), the last one turns out to be the principal cause. Much of the filament induced chemicals would stick onto the existing background CCN's (Cloud Condensation Nuclei) through collision making the latter more active. Strong mixing of air having a large temperature gradient would result in supersaturation in which the background CCN's would grow efficiently into water/ice/snow. This conclusion was supported by two independent experiments using pure heating or a fan to imitate the laser-induced thermal effect or the strong air flow motion, respectively. Without the assistance of any shock wave and chemical CCN's arising from laser filament, condensation and precipitation occurred. Meanwhile we believe that latent heat release during condensation /precipitation would enhance the air flow for mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Ju
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiansheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China.,IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Haiyi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yonghong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro-structured Materials, Institute of Precision Optical Engineering, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jingwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Tiejun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Ruxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Zhizhan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - See Leang Chin
- Center for Optics, Photonics and Laser (COPL), Laval University, Quebec City, Qc G1V 0A6, Canada
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Matthews M, Pomel F, Wender C, Kiselev A, Duft D, Kasparian J, Wolf JP, Leisner T. Laser vaporization of cirrus-like ice particles with secondary ice multiplication. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1501912. [PMID: 27386537 PMCID: PMC4928985 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the interaction of ultrashort laser filaments with individual 90-μm ice particles, representative of cirrus particles. The ice particles fragment under laser illumination. By monitoring the evolution of the corresponding ice/vapor system at up to 140,000 frames per second over 30 ms, we conclude that a shockwave vaporization supersaturates the neighboring region relative to ice, allowing the nucleation and growth of new ice particles, supported by laser-induced plasma photochemistry. This process constitutes the first direct observation of filament-induced secondary ice multiplication, a process that strongly modifies the particle size distribution and, thus, the albedo of typical cirrus clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Matthews
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - François Pomel
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Wender
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Alexei Kiselev
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Denis Duft
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Jérôme Kasparian
- Université de Genève, GAP-Nonlinear, Chemin de Pinchat 22, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Wolf
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Leisner
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Liu Y, Sun H, Liu J, Liang H, Ju J, Wang T, Tian Y, Wang C, Liu Y, Chin SL, Li R. Laser-filamentation-induced water condensation and snow formation in a cloud chamber filled with different ambient gases. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:7364-7373. [PMID: 27137026 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.007364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We investigated femtosecond laser-filamentation-induced airflow, water condensation and snow formation in a cloud chamber filled respectively with air, argon and helium. The mass of snow induced by laser filaments was found being the maximum when the chamber was filled with argon, followed by air and being the minimum with helium. We also discussed the mechanisms of water condensation in different gases. The results show that filaments with higher laser absorption efficiency, which result in higher plasma density, are beneficial for triggering intense airflow and thus more water condensation and precipitation.
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Mongin D, Slowik JG, Schubert E, Brisset JG, Berti N, Moret M, Prévôt ASH, Baltensperger U, Kasparian J, Wolf JP. Non-linear photochemical pathways in laser-induced atmospheric aerosol formation. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14978. [PMID: 26450172 PMCID: PMC4598870 DOI: 10.1038/srep14978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We measured the chemical composition and the size distribution of aerosols generated by femtosecond-Terawatt laser pulses in the atmosphere using an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). We show that nitric acid condenses in the form of ammonium nitrate, and that oxidized volatile organics also contribute to particle growth. These two components account for two thirds and one third, respectively, of the dry laser-condensed mass. They appear in two different modes centred at 380 nm and 150 nm. The number concentration of particles between 25 and 300 nm increases by a factor of 15. Pre-existing water droplets strongly increase the oxidative properties of the laser-activated atmosphere, substantially enhancing the condensation of organics under laser illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Mongin
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jay G Slowik
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Elise Schubert
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Gabriel Brisset
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.,Max-Born-Institut, Max-Born-Strasse 2A, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Berti
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Michel Moret
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - André S H Prévôt
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Urs Baltensperger
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Kasparian
- Université de Genève, GAP-Non-linear, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Wolf
- Université de Genève, GAP-Biophotonics, Chemin de Pinchat 22, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Ju J, Sun H, Sridharan A, Wang TJ, Wang C, Liu J, Li R, Xu Z, Chin SL. Laser-filament-induced snow formation in a subsaturated zone in a cloud chamber: experimental and theoretical study. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2013; 88:062803. [PMID: 24483507 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.88.062803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
1 kHz, 2 mJ, 45 fs, 800 nm laser pulses were fired into a laboratory diffusion cloud chamber through a subsaturated zone (relative humidity ∼73%, T ∼ 4.3 °C). After 60 min of laser irradiation, an oval-shaped snow pile was observed right below the filament center and weighed ∼12.0 mg. The air current velocity at the edge of the vortices was estimated to be ∼16.5 cm/s. Scattering scenes recorded from the side show that filament-induced turbulence were formed inside the cloud chamber with two vortices below the filament. Two-dimensional simulations of the air flow motion in two cross sections of the cloud chamber confirm that the turbulent vortices exist below the filament. Based upon this simulation, we deduce that the vortices indeed have a three-dimensional elliptical shape. Hence, we propose that inside vortices where the humidity was supersaturated or saturated the condensation nuclei, namely, HNO(3), N(2)(+), O(2)(+) and other aerosols and impurities, were activated and grew in size. Large-sized particles would eventually be spun out along the fast moving direction towards the cold plate and formed an oval-shaped snow pile at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Ju
- Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics and Center for Optics, Photonics and Laser (COPL), Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada and State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Haiyi Sun
- State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Aravindan Sridharan
- Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics and Center for Optics, Photonics and Laser (COPL), Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Tie-Jun Wang
- Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics and Center for Optics, Photonics and Laser (COPL), Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada and State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiansheng Liu
- State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Ruxin Li
- State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Zhizhan Xu
- State Key Lab of High Laser Field Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 390, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - See Leang Chin
- Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics and Center for Optics, Photonics and Laser (COPL), Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Kasparian J, Wolf JP. Ultrafast laser spectroscopy and control of atmospheric aerosols. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:9291-300. [PMID: 22267237 DOI: 10.1039/c2cp23576e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We review applications of ultrafast laser pulses for aerosol analysis via linear and non-linear spectroscopy, including the most advanced techniques like coherent control of molecular excited states. We also discuss the capability of such pulses to influence the nucleation of atmospheric aerosols by assisting condensation of water in air.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kasparian
- GAP-Biophotonics, University of Geneva, Chemin de Pinchat 22, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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