Increase in the amplitude of hf currents during exposure of a neutral target to microsecond CO2 laser pulses

High-frequency electric currents were generated by irradiation of a metal target with CO₂ laser pulses. It was found that the region where the ambient gas was photoionized had a decisive influence on the hf current amplitude. A method for increasing the amplitude of the current by creating an auxiliary laser jet on the target was proposed and used. An hf current of up to 1 A amplitude was observed at a frequency of 75 MHz and this current lasted for 1.5 μs.