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Filamentation of high-power ultrashort laser radiation: Size factor of a light beam

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Abstract

The single (axial) filamentation regime of high-power collimated femtosecond laser radiation in the atmosphere is theoretically investigated. The effect of initial diameter of a laser beam on characteristics of a filament is analyzed. We consider three filament parameters: the coordinate of the filament start, its length and longitudinal continuity. We found that for the same initial beam power all the above characteristics of the filaments show a dependence on the beam radius. As the main physical cause for this circumstance the diffraction interaction of various beam areas during the filamentation process is considered; the strength of this interaction increases as the beam widens.

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Original Russian Text © Yu.E. Geints, A.A. Zemlyanov, 2013, published in Optica Atmosfery i Okeana.

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Geints, Y.E., Zemlyanov, A.A. Filamentation of high-power ultrashort laser radiation: Size factor of a light beam. Atmos Ocean Opt 26, 357–363 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1024856013050072

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1024856013050072

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