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Fedorov VY, Tzortzakis S. Powerful terahertz waves from long-wavelength infrared laser filaments. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2020; 9:186. [PMID: 33298833 PMCID: PMC7665013 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-020-00423-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Strong terahertz (THz) electric and magnetic transients open up new horizons in science and applications. We review the most promising way of achieving sub-cycle THz pulses with extreme field strengths. During the nonlinear propagation of two-color mid-infrared and far-infrared ultrashort laser pulses, long, and thick plasma strings are produced, where strong photocurrents result in intense THz transients. The corresponding THz electric and magnetic field strengths can potentially reach the gigavolt per centimeter and kilotesla levels, respectively. The intensities of these THz fields enable extreme nonlinear optics and relativistic physics. We offer a comprehensive review, starting from the microscopic physical processes of light-matter interactions with mid-infrared and far-infrared ultrashort laser pulses, the theoretical and numerical advances in the nonlinear propagation of these laser fields, and the most important experimental demonstrations to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Yu Fedorov
- Science Program, Texas A&M University at Qatar, P.O. Box 23874, Doha, Qatar.
- P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 53 Leninskiy Prospekt, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Stelios Tzortzakis
- Science Program, Texas A&M University at Qatar, P.O. Box 23874, Doha, Qatar.
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), P.O. Box 1527, Heraklion, GR-71110, Greece.
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Heraklion, GR-71003, Greece.
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Woodbury D, Goffin A, Schwartz RM, Isaacs J, Milchberg HM. Self-Guiding of Long-Wave Infrared Laser Pulses Mediated by Avalanche Ionization. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 125:133201. [PMID: 33034483 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.125.133201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nonlinear self-guided propagation of intense long-wave infrared (LWIR) laser pulses is of significant recent interest, as it promises high power transmission without beam breakup and multifilamentation. Central to self-guiding is the mechanism for the arrest of self-focusing collapse. Here, we show that discrete avalanche sites centered on submicron aerosols can arrest self-focusing, providing a new mechanism for self-guided propagation of moderate intensity LWIR pulses in outdoor environments. Our conclusions are supported by simulations of LWIR pulse propagation using an effective index approach that incorporates the time-resolved plasma dynamics of discrete avalanche breakdown sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Woodbury
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - A Goffin
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - R M Schwartz
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - J Isaacs
- Plasma Physics Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA
| | - H M Milchberg
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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Woodbury D, Schwartz RM, Rockafellow E, Wahlstrand JK, Milchberg HM. Absolute Measurement of Laser Ionization Yield in Atmospheric Pressure Range Gases over 14 Decades. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:013201. [PMID: 31976702 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.013201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Strong-field ionization is central to intense laser-matter interactions. However, standard ionization measurements have been limited to extremely low density gas samples, ignoring potential high density effects. Here, we measure strong-field ionization in atmospheric pressure range air, N_{2}, and Ar over 14 decades of absolute yield, using mid-IR picosecond avalanche multiplication of single electrons. Our results are consistent with theoretical rates for isolated atoms and molecules and quantify the ubiquitous presence of ultralow concentration gas contaminants that can significantly affect laser-gas interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Woodbury
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - R M Schwartz
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - E Rockafellow
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - J K Wahlstrand
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - H M Milchberg
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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Wolf JP. Short-pulse lasers for weather control. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:026001. [PMID: 28783040 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation of ultra-short TW-class lasers recently opened new perspectives in atmospheric research. Laser filaments are self-sustained light structures of 0.1-1 mm in diameter, spanning over hundreds of meters in length, and producing a low density plasma (1015-1017 cm-3) along their path. They stem from the dynamic balance between Kerr self-focusing and defocusing by the self-generated plasma and/or non-linear polarization saturation. While non-linearly propagating in air, these filamentary structures produce a coherent supercontinuum (from 230 nm to 4 µm, for a 800 nm laser wavelength) by self-phase modulation (SPM), which can be used for remote 3D-monitoring of atmospheric components by Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging). However, due to their high intensity (1013-1014 W cm-2), they also modify the chemical composition of the air via photo-ionization and photo-dissociation of the molecules and aerosols present in the laser path. These unique properties were recently exploited for investigating the capability of modulating some key atmospheric processes, like lightning from thunderclouds, water vapor condensation, fog formation and dissipation, and light scattering (albedo) from high altitude clouds for radiative forcing management. Here we review recent spectacular advances in this context, achieved both in the laboratory and in the field, reveal their underlying mechanisms, and discuss the applicability of using these new non-linear photonic catalysts for real scale weather control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Wolf
- Department of Applied Physics (GAP), University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Schuh K, Panagiotopoulos P, Kolesik M, Koch SW, Moloney JV. Multi-terawatt 10 μm pulse atmospheric delivery over multiple Rayleigh ranges. OPTICS LETTERS 2017; 42:3722-3725. [PMID: 28957115 DOI: 10.1364/ol.42.003722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We predict that long wavelength self-trapped multi-terawatt pulses can be sustained over multiple kilometers in the atmosphere. Unlike filaments, these pulses exhibit low loss propagation and retain most of their launch power at range. A novel mechanism involving an aggregation of weakly linear and nonlinear cumulative optical responses is shown to be responsible and is dominated by an ultrafast dynamical lensing resulting from a field intensity driven many-body Coulomb mediated free electron polarization associated with spatially separated species in the gas. An initial few picosecond pulse can compress down to 140 fs over multiple kilometers.
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Schuh K, Kolesik M, Wright EM, Moloney JV, Koch SW. Self-Channeling of High-Power Long-Wave Infrared Pulses in Atomic Gases. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2017; 118:063901. [PMID: 28234538 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.118.063901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We simulate and elucidate the self-channeling of high-power 10 μm infrared pulses in atomic gases. The major new result is that the peak intensity can remain remarkably stable over many Rayleigh ranges. This arises from the balance between the self-focusing, diffraction, and defocusing caused by the excitation induced dephasing due to many-body Coulomb effects that enhance the low-intensity plasma densities. This new paradigm removes the Rayleigh range limit for sources in the 8-12 μm atmospheric transmission window and enables transport of individual multi-TW pulses over multiple kilometer ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Schuh
- Department of Mathematics, Arizona Center for Mathematical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - M Kolesik
- Department of Mathematics, Arizona Center for Mathematical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - E M Wright
- Department of Mathematics, Arizona Center for Mathematical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - J V Moloney
- Department of Mathematics, Arizona Center for Mathematical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - S W Koch
- College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA and Department of Physics and Material Science Center, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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