Nonlinear propagation of laser radiation in a solid-particle aerosol

An experimental investigation was made of the nonlinear propagation of $\lambda=1.06\mu$ laser pulses in an aerosol formed from corundum particles. The radiation attenuation coefficient was found to increase beyond $I_{1.6}^0\gtrsim0.1$ MW/cm$^2$ but fell in the range $I_{1.06}^0\gtrsim2$ MW/cm$^2$. This bleaching of the aerosol was accompanied by the motion of particles at velocities of 10–30 m/sec and by their luminescence. The effects were attributed to an anomalous increase in the absorption coefficient of corundum due to interaction of the particles with the laser radiation.