Creating Plasma with Lasers: Can It Be Done?

[Kalrag]

Ive been wonder how big a laser would have to be to make plasma. So, how big? if its not possible is there a variation that would produce plasma?

Thanks, Kalrag

 

[Danger]

As my ex used to lie to me about, size doesn't matter.
You need the power to horrendously raise the temperature of a substance in order to form a plasma under normal pressure conditions. If you can achieve that in a laser the size of a rice grain, so much the better. Right now, though, I think that something on the scale of SHIVA is required.

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

Some lab size pulsed lasers can ionize air. What you need is sufficient energy density.

If you're looking at a continuous plasma, then you need sufficient power density, and yes this if harder to obtain.