ABSTRACT
By means of a time-resolved, shadowgraphic method we observed directly the development of the pulse-splitting dynamics of a femtosecond laser pulse propagating in the filamentary regime in water. For the first time to our knowledge, the relative splitting velocity was measured. We compare the experimental data with numerical simulations. A possible scenario for the splitting event and evolution of the fragments is discussed.
ABSTRACT
By means of a quantitative shadowgraphic method, we performed a space-time characterization of the refractive index variation and transient absorption induced by a light-plasma filament generated by a 120 fs laser pulse in water. The formation and evolution of the plasma channel in the proximity of the nonlinear focus were observed with a 23 fs time resolution.
Subject(s)
Nephelometry and Turbidimetry/instrumentation , Photometry/instrumentation , Refractometry/instrumentation , Water/chemistry , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Hot Temperature , Light , Nephelometry and Turbidimetry/methods , Photometry/methods , Refractometry/methodsABSTRACT
We present a quantitative shadowgraphic method that can measure the density of a laser-generated plasma in air. Simultaneous comparison of both shadowgraphy and interferometry has been carried out, allowing the experimental evaluation of the reliability of the shadowgraphic method. Even though limited by absorption in the sample, shadowgraphy performs better in terms of sensitivity.
