Emission of ions as a result of laser heating of electrolyte drops

An experimental investigation was made of the emission of ions from drops of aqueous solutions of electrolytes acted upon by CO₂ laser radiation. The results indicated that the passage of high-power laser radiation through clouds, fogs, and mist could form bleached zones as well as zones of enhanced electrical conductivity with ion concentrations of 10⁴–10⁶ cm^–3. The experimental results were explained on the basis of the diffusion model of ion evaporation.