Self-focusing and plasma channels formation for non-axisymmetric optical schemes under different orientation of laser pulse linear polarization

TL;DR

This study investigates how the orientation of linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulses affects self-focusing and plasma channel formation in non-axisymmetric optical setups, revealing orientation-dependent plasma densities.

Contribution

It provides experimental insights into the influence of laser beam orientation on filamentation and plasma generation in non-axisymmetric optical schemes.

Findings

Laser beam orientation significantly affects self-focusing and plasma density.

Maximum plasma density varies with beam orientation in different focal regions.

Similar effects observed across IR and UV wavelengths.

Abstract

Filamentation of linear polarized ultrashort laser pulses in non-axisymmetric optical schemes with preferential directions to the optical axis in dependence on the beam orientation was experimentally studied. Our experiments demonstrated strong influence of a laser beam orientation on self-focusing of the beam and plasma generation during filamentation. Maximum of linear plasma density generated by an astigmatic laser pulse was different in both meridional and sagittal foci and depended on the beam orientation. A difference of linear plasma density was observed in the case of superposition of two parts of the laser beam going through a two-hole diaphragm depending on the beam orientation and through a slit for collinear and normal slit orientation relative to the beam orientation. Laser pulses in IR and UV wavelength domains led to similar result.