| Abstract: | An acousto‐optic laser deflector was used to image the intensity distribution of a continuous wave laser of microsecond order. Undeflected light was blocked while the deflected light was directed to a CCD camera, which allowed imaging of the incident laser intensity distribution of microsecond order. Experiments using a test pattern showed that there was no distortion in the deflected image. The resolution limit, estimated from diffractive effects, was about 0.2 mrad. Using this method of high‐speed imaging, density variations accompanying laser‐induced breakdown in air were visualized by shadowgraphy and interferometry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 156(3): 55–61, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20386 |
