Remote electrical arc suppression by laser filamentation

TL;DR

This paper explores how ultrashort laser-induced plasma filaments can suppress electrical arcs by neutralizing high-voltage electrodes, offering new methods for lightning and over-voltage protection.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of laser filamentation to prevent electrical arcs through corona triggering and electrode neutralization, a novel approach for electrical safety.

Findings

Laser filaments trigger corona to neutralize high-voltage electrodes.

Plasma channels modulate electric fields to prevent arcs.

Potential applications in lightning and over-voltage mitigation.

Abstract

We investigate the interaction of narrow plasma channels formed in the filamentation of ultrashort laser pulses, with a DC high voltage. The laser filaments prevent electrical arcs by triggering corona that neutralize the high-voltage electrodes. This phenomenon, due to the electric field modulation and free electron release around the filament, opens new prospects to lightning and over-voltage mitigation.