Introduction Vol. 36, No.
10 / October 2019 / Journal of the Optical Society of America B
Laser filamentation and applications: introduction
Shermineh Rostami Fairchild,1 Yi Liu,2 John Palastro,3
1
Florida Institute of Technology/University of Central Florida (CREOL), Orlando, Florida 32816, USA
2
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
3
Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
4
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Received 26 September 2019; posted 26 September 2019 (Doc. ID 379148); published 1 October 2019
This feature issue presents recent advances in all fronts involving laser filamentation research.
Society of America
https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.36.00LFA1
Since the observation of filamentation by Braun and Mourou in
1995, researchers spanning the fields of physics, mathematics,
and engineering have set out to explain, predict, and use this
highly nonlinear phenomenon from its initiation to the plasma
induced by its high intensity and the broadband ancillary radi-
ation it produces. With the rapid progress in laser technologies,
including sources in the near-, mid- and long-infrared regimes,
the field continues to grow, uncovering new territories that
require novel diagnostic techniques and theoretical models.
The interaction of a high peak power laser pulse with trans-
parent media induces nonlinear self-focusing. At a critical pulse
power, the self-focusing can cause the pulse to nearly collapse,
leading to ionization of the medium. The high-intensity core
of the pulse, or filament, can then propagate for distances far
greater than linear diffraction would allow due to a dynamic
balance between self-focusing and plasma-refraction.
This original paradigm for filamentation has repeatedly
been questioned and expanded upon as laser technologies and
applications push into new parameter regimes, advanced diag-
nostics refine existing or reveal new phenomena, and theoretical
models become more sophisticated. Not without controversy,
many physical characteristics have been introduced, such as
high-order Kerr effect coefficients, the role of polarization in
ionization, and the post-filamentation behavior of the medium
(e.g., molecular orientation, plasma dynamics, and hydrody-
namic expansion). These new paradigms have been spurred by
significant progress in theoretical models, such as the UPPE
(Unidirectional Pulse Propagation Equations) model and the
inclusion of polarization-dependent terms in the Nonlinear
Schrodinger Equation, which has led to the more accurate
prediction and reproduction of experimental results.
Laser filaments have opened the door to a variety of applica-
tions, such as remote sensing, EM wave guiding, and directed
energy, based on their ability to project high intensities at a
distance and to create a broad range of spectral emission.
This feature issue will present recent advances in all fronts
involving laser filamentation research.
0740-3224/19/10LFA1-02 Journal © 2019 Optical Society of America
LFA1
AND Joe Peñano4
© 2019 Optical
Self-focusing, known as the initiation process for filaments,
can be suppressed for few-cycle pulses by the presence of sig-
nificant normal dispersion. Supercontinuum generation and
the effect of the leading and trailing edges of flat-top pulses are
studied in solids, focusing on the spectral intensity, extension
into the blue side of the spectrum as well as the dimensions of
the filament. Properties of post-filamentation channels, “intense
spatially localized light structures observed in the laser beam
at the plasma-free stage of pulse propagation,” are experimen-
tally studied to extend the community’s knowledge on this
“ionization free propagation regime.”
The secondary filament radiations such as THz have been
the focus of many studies due to the ability to create and con-
trol a spectral source at a remote location using filaments. The
interaction between filaments of different central wavelengths
(two-color filaments), widely used to enhance filament THz
generation, is theoretically studied, revealing “different sce-
narios of the initial evolution of the pulses,” including the role
of dispersion. It is also shown that the effect of introducing an
external DC field is twofold: it will enhance the THz signal
and can easily control its polarization by applying two crossing
fields. The third harmonic generated from the filament, “a
simple method to convert near-infrared laser pulses in the UV
range,” can be optimized by controlling the medium’s pressure
and the numerical aperture used to initiate the filamentation
process. “Air lasing” is addressed as well, studying the effect of
the NIR pump polarization on N+ 2 emission at 391 and 428 nm
in an effort to explain this controversial phenomenon.
Applications involving the filament plasma channel rely
heavily on its conductivity and lifetime. A new regime in fila-
mentation “burst mode filamentation” is introduced with the
ability to induce guiding structures with higher conductivity
and significantly longer lifetime, ideal for long distance guiding
applications. One of the many interesting filament plasma-
based applications is the change in the DC air breakdown
in the presence of a filament. This is studied for the case of a
 LFA2 Vol. 36, No. 10 / October 2019 / Journal of the Optical Society of America B
sequence of four concatenated plasma filaments, independently
produced.
Guided by theoretical models, recent experimental results
shed light on fundamental aspects of self-induced waveguides in
different parts of the spectrum (NIR-LWIR). LWIR filaments
are shown to have a considerably larger core, allowing for the
projection of much higher energies over long distances. It is
also shown that using “designer pulse trains” in this spectral
region, controlling the nonlinear dynamics, improves the
spatio-temporal profile of the wave packets propagating long
distances.
Introduction
Engineered filament structures are also presented in this issue
as they are a game changer in filament applications. The propa-
gation of multiple engineered low-ionized filaments produced
by terawatt-power picosecond UV pulses is investigated along a
100 m propagation in air.
The editors hope that this special issue reflects the broad range
of research activity and exciting breakthroughs that continue to
drive filamentation science. As its silver jubilee approaches in
2020, the filamentation community continues to grow around
the world, strengthening its understanding in the pursuit of
fundamental science and applications.