Eur. Phys. J. D 50, 185-191 (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2008-00213-1

Filamentation of chirped pulses on long-range atmospheric paths

International Laser Center and Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, 119991 Moscow, Russia

Corresponding author: ^a fedoroff_v@mail.ru

Received: 23 June 2008
Revised: 29 September 2008
Published online: 14 November 2008

Abstract

A semi-analytical method has been proposed to analyse filamentation of powerful femtosecond laser pulses. The method is based on the multiplicative representation of pulse in space and time domains in the pre-filamentation region, where Kerr self-focusing is dominated. Systematic error due to disregarding phase self-modulation in this region has been analysed and a criterion has been suggested to determine the furthest limit of this region. It is shown that if the limit of the pre-filamentation region is set according to this criterion, the errors in calculations of filament and plasma channels parameters do not exceed 10%. The method substantially reduces computer resources needed to make simulations, in the case of highly chirped pulses propagating in randomly inhomogeneous media, in particular, along lengthy paths in turbulent atmosphere.