Open AccessImpact-ionization mediated self-focusing of long-wavelength infrared pulses in gases
Author(s) -
Xiaohui Gao,
Bonggu Shim
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics letters/optics index
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.524
H-Index - 272
eISSN - 1071-2763
pISSN - 0146-9592
DOI - 10.1364/ol.44.000827
Subject(s) - ionization , infrared , atomic physics , physics , argon , wavelength , plasma , electron , optics , pulse (music) , electron density , self focusing , laser , ion , laser beams , quantum mechanics , detector
We numerically investigate the propagation dynamics of intense long-wavelength infrared pulses in a weakly ionized argon gas and show that the pulses undergo self-focusing due to the transverse variations of electron-impact ionization caused by quivering electrons. We demonstrate this plasma-induced self-focusing at a power much lower than the critical power for Kerr self-focusing, and find that it can be controlled by the initial electron density and pulse duration.