Experimental investigation of the electric potential induced by exposure of opaque condensed obstructions to laser radiation

An investigation was made of electric fields induced by exposing metal and insulating targets to laser radiation of $10^6-10^9$! W/cm${}^2$ power density in a rarefied atmosphere ($5\cdot10^{-2}-1$ Torr) and at normal pressure. The potential was measured at different distances from the laser beam using a “spherical capacitor” probe. A mechanism is proposed for generation of the electric field.