Open AccessSelf and forced periodic arrangement of multiple filaments in glass
Author(s) -
Jean-Philippe Bérubé,
Réal Vallée,
Martin Bernier,
O.G. Kosareva,
N. A. Panov,
V.P. Kandidov,
See Leang Chin
Publication year - 2010
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.18.001801
Subject(s) - optics , refractive index , materials science , protein filament , lens (geology) , phase (matter) , self focusing , physics , laser , laser beams , quantum mechanics , composite material
The formation of permanent periodic structural changes in fused silica induced by the multifilamentation process was investigated. A cylindrical lens was used to focus 800 nm 50 fs pulses with 0.5 - 3 mJ energy down to a line, resulting in a quasi-periodic linear self-arrangement of multiple filaments (MF). The quasi-period of multiple filaments is shown to be uniquely defined by the critical power of the material and the peak intensity on the sample entrance surface. A novel technique to control this spatial self-arrangement of MF is demonstrated based on the use of a binary phase mask. This technique allowed us to decrease the relative variation of spacing between the adjacent tracks of refractive index modifications by a factor of 4 as compared with the case without the phase mask. 3D + time numerical simulations qualitatively reproduce the main features of multiple filament formation obtained in the experiment.