Abstract

Several studies have shown recently that ultrashort infrared laser pulses propagating through atmosphere may create long plasma filaments [1]. This effect may have important applications in laser-controlled discharges, long-range deposition of high laser intensities, new LIDAR monitoring, etc [2]. Here we present an investigation of the nonlinear propagation of sub-picosecond UV laser pulses in air. We show, for the first time, that filamentation is possible with UV laser pulses as well.

© 2000 IEEE