Gasdynamic relaxation of laser spark

Focusing of laser radiation by laser spark (aksikon) enables to form the continuous conducting channel in the air. This can be used in heavy-current accelerators for control of high-voltage spark gaps. Time evolution of plasma channel in the air was investigated by the method of multi-picture interferometry. It was shown that for the case of energy release variation along Zaxis a new mechanism of channel destruction was revealed. It can produce sufficient effect on commutation characteristics of air spark gaps