Balance of O2 and H2 content under laser-induced breakdown of aqueous colloidal solutions

Formation of molecular H2 and O2 is experimentally studied under laser exposure of water colloidal solution to radiation of a Nd:YAG laser at pulse duration of 10 ns and laser fluence in the liquid of order of 100 J/cm2. It is found the partial pressure of both H2 and O2 first increases with laser exposure time and saturates at exposures of order of 1 hour. The balance between O2 and H2 content depends on the laser energy fluence in the solution and is shifted towards H2 at high fluences. Possible mechanisms of formation of the dissociation products are discussed, from direct dissociation of H2O molecules by electrons of plasma breakdown to emission of laser-induced plasma in liquid.