Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!mel.dit.csiro.au!latcs1!barton
From: barton@latcs1.oz.au (DoomsDay)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Lasers
Message-ID: <9205@latcs1.oz.au>
Date: 10 Nov 90 15:29:56 GMT
References: <1571@beguine.UUCP>
Organization: Comp Sci, La Trobe Uni, Australia
Lines: 7



     One interesting thing I've done with a fairly powerful ruby laser is to
put a lens (magnifying glass) of focal length about 3cm in the beam, and
fire a pulse through it. The beam converges on one spot in the air and the
concentrated energy is so high that it ionises the air molecules - resulting
in a fireball/ball lightning at the focal point of the mirror. Very dramatic.