A preliminary experiment was performed to investigate conversion of 10.6-μm laser energy to electrical energy via a laser-sustained argon plasma. Short-circuit currents of 0.7 A were measured between thoriated-tungsten emitter and collector electrodes immersed in the laser-sustained argon plasma. Open-circuit voltages of ∼1.5 V were inferred from the current-voltage load characteristics. The dominant mechanism of laser energy conversion is uncertain at this time. Much higher output powers appear possible.

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