The current generated during the interaction of a focused 10.6‐&mgr;m CO2nanosecond laser pulse with a copper target was measured as a function of laser power—up to 2.5 GW—and of the background nitrogen pressure from 10−5to 103Torr. Current distribution at the target was measured. The results show a resonance effect at 10−2Torr with a total current flow of 250 kA.