Reduction of CO2-laser-induced thermal lensing in CS2with a DC electric field

Reduction of CO2-laser-induced thermal lensing in liquid CS2by the application of a dc electric field is reported. The electric field is found to destroy the effect of natural convection on the thermal lens and induce convection patterns dependent upon field orientation that enhance heat transfer and reduce the negative lensing effect. The experimental results are found to be consistent with calculations of electric forces present in fluids with a radially decreasing electrical conductivity.