Simulation of femtosecond laser pulse propagation in air

We studied the effects of different peak powers and initial pulse shapes during femtosecond laser pulse propagation in air. The full 3D simulation result showed that there was a bundle of discontinuous filaments along intense femtosecond laser pulse propagation axis. Comparisons between pulses with different input peak powers and initial pulse shapes could help us to find ways for forming long and uniform plasma channel in air.

► The propagation of femtosecond laser pulse in air has been numerically solved. ► The intense laser pulse splits in time domain when propagating in air. ► The Bessel shape pulse forms a longer and more uniform plasma channel. ► Filaments are not physically connected in transverse direction.