Plasma Dynamics of Laser Filaments

Date Issued:: 2017
Abstract/Description:: Laser filamentation is a complex phenomenon occurring for pulses with peak power above a critical value. A filament is a dynamic self-guided structure characterized by several unique qualities, which include a beam with a high-intensity core surrounded by an energy reservoir, a weakly ionized plasma channel, and supercontinuum generation. Several of the proposed applications for filamentation utilize the plasma channel, such as for assisted electric discharge and microwave guiding. However, filament properties are highly influenced by the physical conditions under which they are formed. A host of studies have been conducted to further characterize filaments, but much work still remains in order to understand their complex behavior. This work presents an accurate and direct measurement of the electron density based on an interferometric technique. The impact of different initial parameters on filament spatio-temporal dynamics in air is investigated, concentrating primarily on their influence on the plasma. For comparison of the experiment with theory, the plasma decay is modeled by a system of kinetic equations that takes into account three-body and dissociative electron recombination reactions.

Title:	Plasma Dynamics of Laser Filaments.	25 views 13 downloads
Name(s):	Reyes, Danielle, Author Richardson, Martin, Committee Chair Gaume, Romain, Committee Member Chini, Michael, Committee Member University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource:	text
Date Issued:	2017
Publisher:	University of Central Florida
Language(s):	English
Abstract/Description:	Laser filamentation is a complex phenomenon occurring for pulses with peak power above a critical value. A filament is a dynamic self-guided structure characterized by several unique qualities, which include a beam with a high-intensity core surrounded by an energy reservoir, a weakly ionized plasma channel, and supercontinuum generation. Several of the proposed applications for filamentation utilize the plasma channel, such as for assisted electric discharge and microwave guiding. However, filament properties are highly influenced by the physical conditions under which they are formed. A host of studies have been conducted to further characterize filaments, but much work still remains in order to understand their complex behavior. This work presents an accurate and direct measurement of the electron density based on an interferometric technique. The impact of different initial parameters on filament spatio-temporal dynamics in air is investigated, concentrating primarily on their influence on the plasma. For comparison of the experiment with theory, the plasma decay is modeled by a system of kinetic equations that takes into account three-body and dissociative electron recombination reactions.
Identifier:	CFE0006646 (IID), ucf:51222 (fedora)
Note(s):	2017-05-01 M.S. Sciences, Physics Masters This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s):	Laser filamentation -- Filament -- Plasma -- Ultrafast laser -- Electron density -- Interferometry -- Refractive index modification
Persistent Link to This Record:	http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006646
Restrictions on Access:	campus 2022-05-15
Host Institution:	UCF

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