Propagation of Intense, Short Laser Pulses in the Atmosphere
Abstract
The propagation of short, intense laser pulses in the atmosphere may have applications in the areas of active and passive remote sensing, electronic countermeasures, and induced electric discharges. For example, localized ultraviolet radiation generated at a remote distance can provide a source for active fluorescence spectroscopy of biological and chemical agents in the atmosphere. The generated directed pulses of intense white light may find applications in the areas of hyperspectral imaging and differential absorption spectroscopy. The propagation of short, intense laser pulses through the atmosphere is investigated. A 3D, nonlinear propagation equation is derived which includes the effects of dispersion, nonlinear self-focusing due bound electrons, stimulated molecular Raman scattering, multiphoton and tunneling ionization, pulse energy depletion due to ionization, relativistic focusing and ponderomotively excited plasma wakefields. A method for generating a remote spark in the atmosphere is proposed. Examples involving beam focusing, compression, ionization. and white light generation are studied by numerically solving the full set of 3D, nonlinear propagation equations. Coupled equations for the spot size, plasma density and power, allowing for pulse energy depletion due to ionization are derived, demonstrating the absence of extended self-guided propagation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401133
Entities
People
- Bahman Hafizi
- J. R. Penano
- Phillip A. Sprangle
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory