Filamentation Tera-Hertz pulse generation

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We propose to efficiently generate Tera-Hertz (THz) pulses using a new technique developed in the applicant'slaboratory. It is based upon the phenomenon of self-focusing of intense femtosecond (one millionth of atrillionth of a second) laser pulses in air. After self-focusing, the pulse will self-transform into a long streak ofsharp foci. We call the latter a filament. A laser pulse propagating inside the filament of the intensefemtosecond laser pulse will be locked on to the latter so that they propagate together and produce a newelectromagnetic pulse through a physical process called four-wave-mixing. This latter technique can produceelectromagnetic pulses whose frequencies could range from the UV to the radio frequency. The applicant andco-workers have demonstrated the feasibility of this technique in the visible region. A patent on this newtechnique is being filed. This project proposes to focus on generating THz pulses using the same technique.The current partner, Defense Research and Development of Canada in Valcartier, is in urgent need of a newtechnique to generate such pulses at short and long ranges to detect chemical and biological agents such asanthrax and explosives for the obvious reason of security. The proposed project would generate newknowledge and technology and increase the number of highly qualified personnel in the areas of ultrafast lasertechnology..