Laser breakdown in crystalline argon as model of fast high-energy processes

Pulsed evolution of energy in the interior of a transparent insulator as a result of focusing of high-power laser radiation generates a shock wave propagating along the insulator. This effect presents an opportunity for investigating shock waves which appear in high-energy large-scale experiments. The present paper reports a study of the dynamics of the development of damage and of the motion of a shock wave resulting from the focusing of high-power laser radiation in the interior of an argon crystal and justifies the use of this material for model purposes. The results are used to find the physical parameters describing the dynamics of changes in the principal characteristics of a shock wave in this case and in large-scale experiments. A comparison is made with the published experimental data.