Title :
Long connected plasma channels in air produced by ultrashort UV laser pulses
Author :
Tzortzakis, S. ; Moustaizis, S.D. ; Franco, M. ; Chiron, A. ; Lamouroux, B. ; Prade, B. ; Mysyrowicz, A.
Author_Institution :
Lab. d´Opt. Appliquee, Ecole Polytech., Palaiseau, France
Abstract :
Summary form only given. Several studies have shown recently that ultrashort infrared laser pulses propagating through atmosphere may create long plasma filaments. We present an investigation of the nonlinear propagation of ultrashort UV laser pulses in air. We show, for the first time, that it is possible to form connected plasma channels extending over several meters by using as little as 1.7 mJ per pulse having a duration of 450 fs.
Keywords :
atmospheric light propagation; channelling; high-speed optical techniques; nonlinear optics; optical radar; plasma production by laser; 1.7 mJ; 450 fs; long connected plasma channels; long plasma filaments; nonlinear propagation; ultrashort UV laser pulses; ultrashort infrared laser pulses; Electrons; Ionization; Optical pulses; Plasma density; Signal generators; Tin;
Conference_Titel :
Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference, 2000. (QELS 2000). Technical Digest
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA, USA
Print_ISBN :
1-55752-608-7
