Apparatus and method for enabling the creation of multiple extended conduction paths in the atmosphere
AssigneesThe Regents of the University of Michigan, University of New Mexico
InventorsGerard Mourou, Alan Braun, Jean-Claude Diels, Marcel Bouvier, Xin Miao Zhao
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for enabling the creation of multiple extended conduction paths in the atmosphere including a chirped-pulse amplification laser system having a high peak-power laser capable of transmitting through the atmosphere a high-peak power ultrashort laser pulse. The laser pulse is configured to have a rough spacial profile and is of sufficient energy to create multiple electrically conductive ionized channels in the atmosphere.
Claims20
An apparatus for enabling the creation of multiple extended conduction paths in the atmosphere, the apparatus comprising:
- a laser system including a high peak-power laser capable of transmitting through a path in the atmosphere at least one high-peak power laser pulse, said laser pulse having a rough spacial profile and being of energy sufficient to create multiple extended electrically conductive ionized channels in the atmosphere.
An apparatus for controlling the discharge of lightning strikes, the apparatus comprising:
- a chirped-pulse amplification laser system including a high peak-power laser capable of transmitting through a path in the atmosphere at least one high-peak power laser pulse, said laser pulse having a rough spacial profile and being of energy sufficient to create multiple extended electrically conductive ionized channels in the atmosphere;
- prechirping means for prechirping said pulse so that said ionized channels occur at an extended distance from said laser system;
- grounding means for providing a ground path for said lightning strikes away from said laser;
- and
- steering means for steering said prechirped laser pulse to create said multiple electrically conductive ionized channels in dose proximity to said grounding means enabling the discharge of lightning strikes through said multiple electrically conductive ionized channels and said grounding means.
A method for enabling the creation of multiple extended conduction paths in the atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a high-peak power laser pulse;
- and
- transmitting through a path in the atmosphere said laser pulse, said pulse having a rough spacial profile and being of energy sufficient to create multiple extended electrically conductive ionized channels in the atmosphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.