Ponderomotive convection in water induced by a CW laser

M. N. Shneider and V. V. Semak

An optically induced convection during IR laser interaction with water or any absorbing liquid is described theoretically. The numerical simulations performed using the developed model show that the optical pressure and ponderomotive forces produce water flow in the direction of the laser beam propagation. In the later stage of interaction, when the water temperature rises, the Archimedes force becomes comparable and, ultimately, dominant, producing convection directed against the vector of gravitational acceleration (upward). The theoretical estimates and numerical simulations predict fluid dynamics similar to what is observed in previous experiments.

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