Laser-induced breakdown in large transparent water droplets.

Recent experiments on the laser-induced breakdown (LIB) of large transparent liquid droplets are reviewed. A physical model of LIB processes is presented with the aim of integrating the following recent results: (1) the internal and near-field distributions for large transparent spheres; (2) the location of LIB initiation based on spatially resolved plasma emission spectroscopic techniques; (3) spatially resolved but time-averaged density of the plasma plumes and temperature of the atomic species within the plasma; (4) the plasma front propagation velocities inside and outside the droplet; and (5) the fate of the remaining superheated droplet and the expelled material.