3,183 research outputs found
Spin-Glass Model Governs Laser Multiple Filamentation
We show that multiple filamentation patterns in high-power laser beams, can
be described by means of two statistical physics concepts, namely
self-similarity of the patterns over two nested scales, and nearest-neighbor
interactions of classical rotators. The resulting lattice spin model perfectly
reproduces the evolution of intense laser pulses as simulated by the Non-Linear
Schr\"odinger Equation, shedding a new light on multiple filamentation. As a
side benefit, this approach drastically reduces the computing time by two
orders of magnitude as compared to the standard simulation methods of laser
filamentation.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Laser filamentation as a new phase transition universality class
We show that the onset of laser multiple filamentation can be described as a
critical phenomenon that we characterize both experimentally and numerically by
measuring a set of seven critical exponents. This phase transition deviates
from any existing universality class, and offers a unique perspective of
conducting two-dimensional experiments of statistical physics at a human scale.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure
Reversibility of laser filamentation
We investigate the reversibility of laser filamentation, a self-sustained,
non-linear propagation regime including dissipation and time-retarded effects.
We show that even losses related to ionization marginally affect the
possibility of reverse propagating ultrashort pulses back to the initial
conditions, although they make it prone to finite-distance blow-up susceptible
to prevent backward propagation.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
Transition from plasma- to Kerr-driven laser filamentation
While filaments are generally interpreted as a dynamic balance between Kerr
focusing and plasma defocusing, the role of the higher-order Kerr effect (HOKE)
is actively debated as a potentially dominant defocusing contribution to
filament stabilization. In a pump-probe experiment supported by numerical
simulations, we demonstrate the transition between two distinct filamentation
regimes at 800\,nm. For long pulses (1.2 ps), the plasma substantially
contributes to filamentation, while this contribution vanishes for short pulses
(70 fs). These results confirm the occurrence, in adequate conditions, of
filamentation driven by the HOKE rather than by plasma.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Letter
Free space laser telecommunication through fog
Atmospheric clearness is a key issue for free space optical communications
(FSO). We present the first active method to achieve FSO through clouds and
fog, using ultrashort high intensity laser filaments. The laser filaments
opto-mechanically expel the droplets out of the beam and create a cleared
channel for transmitting high bit rate telecom data at 1.55 microns. The low
energy required for the process allows considering applications to
Earth-satellite FSO and secure ground based optical communication, with
classical or quantum protocols.Comment: 4 pages + 2 pages supplementary text and movie
Non-linear Synthesis of Complex Laser Waveforms at Remote Distances
Strong deformation of ultrashort laser pulse shapes is unavoidable when
delivering high intensities at remote distances due to non-linear effects
taking place while propagating. Relying on the reversibility of laser
filamentation, we propose to explicitly design laser pulse shapes so that
propagation serves as a non-linear field synthesizer at a remote target
location. Such an approach allows, for instance, coherent control of molecules
at a remote distance, in the context of standoff detection of pathogens or
explosives.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure
Organic Corrosion Inhibitors
Organic corrosion inhibitors, which are used as additives in paints and lubricants to provide permanent corrosion protection, are briefly discussed
Linearity of charge measurement in laser filaments
We evaluate the linearity of three electric measurement techniques of the
initial electron density in laser filaments by comparing their results for a
pair of filaments and for the sum of each individual filament. The conductivity
measured between two plane electrodes in a longitudinal configuration is linear
within 2% provided the electric field is kept below 100 kV/m. Furthermore,
simulations show that the signal behaves like the amount of generated free
electrons. The slow ionic current measured with plane electrodes in a parallel
configuration is representative of the ionic charge available in the filament,
after several s, when the free electrons have recombined. It is linear
within 2% with the amount of ions and is insensitive to misalignment. Finally,
the fast polarization signal in the same configuration deviates from linearity
by up to 80% and can only be considered as a semi-qualitative indication of the
presence of charges, e.g., to characterize the filament length.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure
- …