Wavelength Scaling of Plasma and Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Laser Filamentation in Solids

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This research project will improve the understanding of the physical mechanisms and the spatio-temporal dynamics of laser filamentation in solids. Laser filamentation is self-guidance of a high-power laser pulse propagating through a gas, liquid or solid material when self-focusing of the pulse is balanced by defocusing due to the laser-induced modifications in the material. This remarkable phenomenon finds a lot of applications such as table-top ultraviolet and x-ray generation, lightning guiding, rainmaking, selective radiotherapy on cancer cells, long-lived waveguides in air, and remote sensing of pollutants. This project will also promote basic science education to groups, such as grandparent-led rural families, who have been traditionally underrepresented in science.Laser filamentation is self-guidance of a high-power laser pulse when self-focusing due to the optical Kerr effect is balanced by defocusing due to material ionization and/or other nonlinear mechanisms. Although laser filamentation has been studied mainly using near-infrared and visible wavelengths, recent progress in ultrafast laser technology enables the investigation of laser filamentation using longer wavelengths such as mid-infrared and long-wavelength infrared. In this project, laser filamentation in solids will be experimentally studied by measuring plasma densities directly inside the filaments, with the experiments guided by 3-dimensional computer simulations of laser matter interactions. The project will impact filament-based technology such as new ultrabroadband and ultrashort light generation for spectroscopy and optical communications.