Einat Louzon

Control of the collapse distance in atmospheric propagation

We show experimentally for ultrashort laser pulses propagating in air, that the collapse/filamentation distance of intense laser pulses in the atmosphere can be extended and controlled with a simple double-lens setup. We derive a simple formula for the filamentation distance, and confirm its agreement with the experimental results. We also observe that delaying the onset of filamentation increases the filament length.

Reduction of damage threshold in dielectric materials induced by negatively chirped laser pulses

The threshold fluence for laser induced damage in wide band gap dielectric materials, fused silica and MgF2, is observed to be lower by up to 20% for negatively (down) chirped pulses than for positively (up) chirped, at pulse durations ranging from 60 fs to 1 ps. This behavior of the threshold fluence for damage on the chirp direction was not observed in semiconductors (silicon and GaAs). Based on a model including electron generation in the conduction band and Joule heating, it is suggested that the decrease in the damage threshold for negatively chirped pulse is related to the dominant role of multiphoton ionization in wide gap materials.

Control of the filamentation distance and pattern in long-range atmospheric propagation

We use the double-lens setup [10, 11] to achieve a 20-fold delay of the filamentation distance of non-chirped 120 fs pulses propagating in air, from 16m to 330m. At 330m, the collapsing pulse is sufficiently powerful to create plasma filaments. We also show that the scatter of the filaments at 330m can be significantly reduced by tilting the second lens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest distance reported in the Literature at which plasma filaments were created and controlled. Finally, we show that the peak power at the onset of collapse is significantly higher with the double-lens setup, compared with the standard negative chirping approach.

X-ray spectrum in the range (6-12) A emitted by laser-produced plasma of samarium

A detailed analysis of the x-ray spectrum emitted by laser-produced plasma of samarium (6-12 A) is presented, using ab initio calculations with the HULLAC relativistic code and isoelectronic considerations. Resonance 3d-nf (n=4 to 7), 3p-4d, 3d-4p, and 3p-4s transitions in Ni samarium ions and in neighboring ionization states (from Mn to Zn ions) were identified. The experiment results show changes in the fine details of the plasma spectrum for different laser intensities.

Analysis of the x-ray spectrum emitted by laser-produced plasma of dysprosium

A detailed analysis of the x-ray spectrum (5-10.2A) emitted by laser-produced plasma of dysprosium (Dy) is given using ab initio calculations with the HULLAC relativistic code and isoelectronic trends. Resonance 3d-4p, 3d-nf (n=4 to 7), 3p-4s, and 3p-4d transitions of NiI-like Dy XXXIX and neighboring ion satellite transitions (from Dy XXXIV to Dy XL) are identified.

INTERACTION OF INTENSE SHORT LASER PULSES WITH AIR AND DIELECTRIC MATERIALS

A study of the propagation of intense short laser pulses in air and the interaction of these pulses with distant targets is described. It is shown that the beam filamentation pattern can be controlled by introducing beam astigmatism. In addition, it is demonstrated that the collapse distance of intense femtosecond laser beams scales as P-1/2 for input powers that are moderately above the critical power for self focusing, and that at higher powers the collapse distance scales as P-1. Related to the interaction of intense short pulses with distant targets, it is measured that the threshold fluence for optical damage in wide gap materials is lower by up to 20% for negatively chirped pulses than for positively chirped, at pulse durations ranging from 60 fs to 1 ps.

Control of the Filamentation Distance and Pattern in Long Range Atmospheric Propagation

Using a tilted double-lens setup we obtained highly-localized plasma filaments with 120fs pulses at a distance of 330m which, to the best of our knowledge, is the longest distance reported in the literature.