USE OF SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE GAS TO PREVENT LASER INDUCED AIR BREAKDOWN

摘要

A method and apparatus for propagating a laser beam is disclosed. The laser beam pulse is passed through a first lens which focuses the laser beam pulse at a focal point of the first lens. An electronegative gas at substantially atmospheric pressure is configured to surround the focal point in order to suppress an ionization effect by the laser beam pulse at the focal point.