L. V. Goryachev, F. V. Grigor'ev, V. V. Kalinovskii, S. B. Kormer, L. M. Lavrov, V. P. Chudinov, “Self-focusing of a laser beam as a whole in air”, Kvantovaya Elektronika, 1977, Volume 4, Number 4,Pages <nobr>907

This article is cited in 4 papers

Brief Communications

Self-focusing of a laser beam as a whole in air

L. V. Goryachev, F. V. Grigor'ev, V. V. Kalinovskii, S. B. Kormer, L. M. Lavrov, V. P. Chudinov

Abstract: A study was made of the time dependence of the diameter of a neodymium laser beam in its focal plane and of the intensity distribution when it was focused in laboratory air. Self-focusing of the laser beam as a whole was observed. The collapse of the beam occurred in 3–8 nsec and it resulted in breakdown of air. Estimates deduced from the experimental results indicated that the critical self-focusing power was ~10⁴ W and the nonlinear coefficient was n₂~4×10^–12 (in absolute units).

UDC: 621.375.826:535.3

PACS: 42.65.Jx, 42.55.Rz

Received: 01.09.1976