Possible photochemical action of high-power laser radiation on fog droplets

It is shown that fog water droplets may scatter ultraviolet laser radiation as a result of photodissociation of molecules in liquid water. Estimates are obtained of the power of the fourth harmonic of picosecond ruby laser pulses necessary for the conversion of a water droplet of 2-μ radius into a mixture of gases. The quantum yield of hydrogen as a result of photolysis of liquid water is assumed to be 0.022 molecules per photon. The necessary energy density per pulse is ~700 I/cm².