Open AccessOval-like hollow intensity distribution of tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses in air
Author(s) -
Y. T. Li,
Tingting Xi,
Zuoqiang Hao,
Z. Zhang,
Peng Xu,
K. Li,
Zuanming Jin,
Zheng Zhang,
Qianli Yu,
Xingqiang Lü,
J. Zhang
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.15.017973
Subject(s) - femtosecond , optics , laser , materials science , intensity (physics) , refraction , femtosecond pulse shaping , ionization , pulse (music) , refractive index , physics , ion , quantum mechanics , detector
The propagation of a tightly focused femtosecond laser pulse in air has been investigated. Unlike long-distance self-guided propagation of short laser pulses, a novel oval-like hollow distribution of the laser intensity is observed in the experiments and reproduced by the numerical simulations. The formation of the hollow structures can be explained by the interplay between ionization-induced refraction and Kerr self-focusing.