Interaction of femtosecond laser beam with atmospheric low temperature plasmas and electric fields

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Davda, K. (2017). Interaction of femtosecond laser beam with atmospheric low temperature plasmas and electric fields. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

In this work, the influence of electric fields and atmospheric plasma on the behavior of an ultrafast femtosecond laser beam is being studied. A femtosecond laser pulse has an ability to self-focus in air and produce confined narrow channels of high energy density plasma, called filaments, which propagate over long distances. This technique has been employed in the remote initiation of electric discharges and has a potential to serve in lighting control, rain making, remote measurement of the electric field, microwave guidance and remote sensing of chemicals. Filamentation process requires a significant amount of energy (> GW), and the lasers used for that purpose are large and not easy to deploy and use. In this research, a possibility of using external high electric fields and low-temperature plasmas is explored to augment the laser beam operation, with the goal of lowering the power requirement on the laser. These external fields and plasmas are intended to act as stimuli to achieve filamentation of ultrashort laser pulses at a lower energy of the laser beam. Ultimately this approach may lead to a reduction of the size, weight, and power consumption of the laser system.

Details
Author

Davda, Kirtan

Title

Interaction of femtosecond laser beam with atmospheric low temperature plasmas and electric fields

Physical Description

1 online resource (65 pages) : PDF

Date

2017

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

In this work, the influence of electric fields and atmospheric plasma on the behavior of an ultrafast femtosecond laser beam is being studied. A femtosecond laser pulse has an ability to self-focus in air and produce confined narrow channels of high energy density plasma, called filaments, which propagate over long distances. This technique has been employed in the remote initiation of electric discharges and has a potential to serve in lighting control, rain making, remote measurement of the electric field, microwave guidance and remote sensing of chemicals. Filamentation process requires a significant amount of energy (> GW), and the lasers used for that purpose are large and not easy to deploy and use. In this research, a possibility of using external high electric fields and low-temperature plasmas is explored to augment the laser beam operation, with the goal of lowering the power requirement on the laser. These external fields and plasmas are intended to act as stimuli to achieve filamentation of ultrashort laser pulses at a lower energy of the laser beam. Ultimately this approach may lead to a reduction of the size, weight, and power consumption of the laser system.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Optics
Physics
Power resources

Degree

M.S.

Keywords

Electric Field
Femtosecond Filamentation
Interaction of Laser with Electric Field
Ionization
Laser Power Manipulation
Low Temperature Plasma

Subject Area

Applied Energy & Electromechanical System

Advisor(s)

Noras, Maciej

Committee Members

Williams, Wesley
Her, Tsing-Hua

Degree Note

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Davda_uncc_0694N_11424

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:923