Acoustic characteristics of laser breakdown of crystalline argon

Experimental and theoretical investigations were made of acoustic processes occurring during laser breakdown of crystalline argon. It was found that the main mechanism of generation of elastic vibrations was the attenuation of "strong" (those with a gasdynamic stage) shock waves. The spectrum of the generated vibrations was described satisfactorily by a model of an ellipsoidal loaded region elongated along the beam axis and emitting waves into an elastic medium. The proximity of an uneven wall of the crystallization chamber to the optical damage zone had a considerable influence on the characteristics of the process.