S. Tzortzakis

Time-evolution of the plasma channel at the trail of a self-guided IR femtosecond laser pulse in air

The density and decay kinetics of a plasma channel created in air by a self-guided intense ultra-short laser pulse is determined by a new electric cross-conductivity method and by diffraction interferometry. A fast decay is measured, due to the dominant intrinsic recombination process at high plasma density.

Nonlinear propagation of subpicosecond ultraviolet laser pulses in air

We report filamentation of subpicosecond UV laser pulses with only millijoule energy in atmosphere. The results are in good agreement with a numerical simulation using a quasi-three-dimensional propagation code.

Characterization and optimization of infrared emission from light filaments observed in a fs-TW laser beam propagating in the atmosphere

Summary form only given. We present our results on the characterization and the optimization of the infrared component of the continuum efficiency is studied as a function of several laser parameters, such as pulse energy, duration, emission frequency chirp. For LIDAR application purposes, different beam transmission emitted from light filaments. Infrared configurations are studied. The fundamental beam can be sent in the atmosphere either collimated in a parallel beam or slightly focused. White light can be also re-collimated. Infrared intensities at remote distances are optimized.

Break-up, coalescence and self-guiding of femtosecond laser pulses in air

Femtosecond laser pulses propagating in air are investigated. For input powers as high as 25 times the self-focusing threshold, the pulses are shown to break up into two spots, which coalesce into a self-guided beam.