A method of probing beam refraction is suggested for the investigation of laserproduced plasma with high density gradients. The refraction angle α of a probing ray as a function of ray impact parameter p is used as input data. Different experimental realizations of α(p) measurements are considered. Results from laser produced plasma interferograms processed with phase shift and refractometry methods are compared.

By focusing the TEA CO2 laser pulse onto a metal target in the vacuum cell, the backward jet of plasma produced by the laser pulse can create an electric pulse between the target and the cell wall. The effect of laser beam focusing parameter and vacuum condition on the conversion efficiency are investigated experimentally. The maximum output voltage is more than 300 V when the peak power density at the target surface is 1.4 × 109 W/cm2. The velocity of the plasma expansion is obtained by using separated collecting electrodes.

This paper gives the results of the investigations of four types of apodized (soft) apertures for beam shaping of UV, visible and IR high-power lasers with near-Gaussian and flat-top transmittance. The apodized apertures (AA) are ≈3–45 mm in diameter, but the principles of fabrication of such apertures lends the possibility of apodizing beams with diameter <1 mm and >200 mm. The examples of studies of the AA in high-power lasers are presented. The possibility of avoiding the Fresnel diffraction ripples is proved experimentally.

A Q-switched ruby laser, focussed by means of both gas and glass lenses, was used to irradiate massive planar carbon targets. Two different laser configurations were used, giving differing spatial beam qualities. Faraday cups positioned at various angles about the target were used to monitor ion flow properties of the resulting laser-produced plasmas. These flow properties were used to compare the laser-plasma producing characteristics of the lenses.