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Vortices in ultrashort laser pulses

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Abstract

The propagation of optical vortices nested in broadband femtosecond laser beams was studied both numerically and experimentally. Based on the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the dynamics of different multiple-vortex configurations with varying topological charge were modelled in self-focussing and self-defocussing Kerr media. We find a similar behavior in both cases regarding the vortex–vortex interaction. However, the collapsing background beam alters the propagation for a positive nonlinearity. Regimes of regular and possibly stable multiple filamentation were identified this way. Experiments include measurements on pairs of filaments generated in a vortex beam on an astigmatic Gaussian background with argon gas as the nonlinear medium. Spectral broadening of these filaments leads to a supercontinuum which spans from the visible range into the infrared. Recompression yields <19 fs pulses. Further optimization may lead to much better recompression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany

    P. Hansinger & G. G. Paulus

  2. Department of Quantum Electronics, Sofia University, 5, J. Bourchier Blvd., Sofia, 1164, Bulgaria

    A. Dreischuh

  3. Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743, Jena, Germany

    G. G. Paulus

Authors
  1. P. Hansinger
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  2. A. Dreischuh
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  3. G. G. Paulus
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Correspondence to P. Hansinger.

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Hansinger, P., Dreischuh, A. & Paulus, G.G. Vortices in ultrashort laser pulses. Appl. Phys. B 104, 561–567 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-011-4649-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-011-4649-2

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