Near-infrared laser-induced breakdown of liquid benzene

The reaction of liquid benzene induced by Nd3+:YAG fundamental pulsed laser irradiation was investigated. The emission spectrum of the breakdown was measured. The spectrum showed the emission to be assigned to d 3Πg–a 3Πu of C2 and the A 2Δ–X 2Π transition of CH radicals accompanied with the broad continuum emission. Picosecond transient absorption spectra did not show the absorption bands due to the electronically excited state of benzene. The breakdown threshold of various aromatic liquids is explained with the microwave breakdown theory. Considering these results, we concluded that the reaction is induced by the strong electric field of the laser.