Rainmaking by Laser Initiation of Endothermic Reactions

Chopkar SK and Chakrabarty DK

Published on: 2025-10-25

Abstract

When a laser beam is shot in the cloud region of the atmosphere, it generates an intense high temperature in that region. This high temperature breaks the bonds of nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) molecules into excited nitrogen atoms (N*) and excited oxygen atoms (O*).  These excited N* and excited O* atoms immediately convert themselves into nitric oxide (NO) and ozone (O₃). The reactions that occur for the formation of NO and O₃ (called endothermic reactions) absorb a large amount of heat from the surrounding atmospheric cloud and cool it. This drastic fall in temperature induces condensation, forming tiny water droplets. These tiny droplets act as cloud condensation nuclei (seeds) and coalesce into larger raindrops, leading to heavy rainfall. In this communication, the IRRA Scientist Group has proposed two laser systems for creating artificial rain. When a laser beam is shot in the cloud region of the atmosphere, it generates an intense high temperature in that region. This high temperature breaks the bonds of nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) molecules into excited nitrogen atoms (N*) and excited oxygen atoms (O*).  These excited N* and excited O* atoms immediately convert themselves into nitric oxide (NO) and ozone (O₃). The reactions that occur for the formation of NO and O₃ (called endothermic reactions) absorb a large amount of heat from the surrounding atmospheric cloud and cool it. This drastic fall in temperature induces condensation, forming tiny water droplets. These tiny droplets act as cloud condensation nuclei (seeds) and coalesce into larger raindrops, leading to heavy rainfall. In this communication, the IRRA Scientist Group has proposed two laser systems for creating artificial rain.