Open AccessA simple method for determination of nonlinear propagation regimes in gases
Author(s) -
Selçuk Aktürk,
C. D’Amico,
F. C. Michel,
Arnaud Couairon,
A. Mysyrowicz
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.015260
Subject(s) - filamentation , optics , nonlinear system , transmission (telecommunications) , focus (optics) , physics , pulse (music) , self focusing , self phase modulation , power (physics) , nonlinear optics , laser , simple (philosophy) , computational physics , laser beams , computer science , telecommunications , philosophy , epistemology , quantum mechanics , detector
A simple method to evaluate the nonlinear propagation regimes in gases is demonstrated. The principle is to focus ultrashort laser pulses into a gas cell, vary the input pulse power and measure the transmission through a pinhole placed at the output. The resulting transmission curve yields an intuitive signature of various nonlinear propagation regimes. Going from low powers to higher, one first observes a brief decrease in the transmission due to nonlinear moving focus. Then, a sharp rise occurs, indicating the starting of the filamentation process. When the power increases further, the transmission saturates and eventually decreases due to the beginning of multi-filamentation. As a result, this method gives a quick and sensitive measurement of pulse energies required to have single and multiple filaments.