N. A. Panov, A. D. Savvin, O. G. Kosareva, A. B. Savel'ev-Trofimov, V. P. Kandidov, S. A. Potanin, S. D. Pol'skikh, “Femtosecond filaments as a new type of laser guide stars for astronomical adaptive optics”, Kvantovaya Elektronika, 2009, Volume 39, Number 6,Pages <nobr>560

This article is cited in 4 papers

Femtosecond filaments

Femtosecond filaments as a new type of laser guide stars for astronomical adaptive optics

N. A. Panov^ab, A. D. Savvin^ab, O. G. Kosareva^ab, A. B. Savel'ev-Trofimov^ab, V. P. Kandidov^ab, S. A. Potanin^c, S. D. Pol'skikh^d

^a Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics
^b International Laser Center of Moscow State University
^c Lomonosov Moscow State University, P. K. Sternberg Astronomical Institute
^d "Astrofizika" Research and Production Association, Moscow

Abstract: A method for creating laser guide stars based on filaments of high-power femtosecond radiation at altitudes more than 10 km is proposed. The parameters of femtosecond laser pulses optimal for the formation of laser guide stars are determined. An analytic expression for the critical self-focusing power on a vertical path is obtained.

PACS: 42.65.Hw, 42.65.Jx, 42.65.Wi, 42.65.Re, 42.68.Ay

Received: 28.11.2008