High-intensity light channels formed during the propagation of high-power femtosecond laser radiation in air

The evolution of the small-scale transverse structure of high-power femtosecond laser radiation propagating in air in the filamentation mode has been experimentally and theoretically studied. Experimental results were obtained using wideaperture (centimeter) collimated beams of femtosecond pulses of a titanium-sapphire laser. As a result, the features of propagation of spatially isolated high-intensity light channels, the diameter of which is several millimeters, were determined. They are formed because of Kerr self-focusing of intensity inhomogeneities in the initial transverse profile of the laser beam. It is shown that the formation of a filament (a localized light structure, the existence of which is associated with the plasma formation and the generation of conical emission) does not occur in each of these channels. The theoretical evaluation of this light channels characteristics was carried out. It is based on the diffraction-ray model of single filamentation of femtosecond laser pulses. Studying of the evolution transverse profile of a laser beam with a centimeter radius and subterawatt power along air path showed that the initial radius of intensity inhomogeneities, for which laser filamentation occur, is equal several (2.5-3.5) millimeters. The power in these inhomogeneities varies from 19 to 26 GW. Differences in the values of the radius and power of these inhomogeneities are the cause of different distances from the laser pulse source at which their self-focusing occurs.