arXiv subjects

Aurelien Houard

Publications and source records attributed to Aurelien Houard.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Steering laser-produced THz radiation in air with superluminal ionization fronts

We demonstrate that pulsed THz radiation produced in air by a focused ultrashort laser pulse can be steered to large angles or even in the backward direction with respect to the laser propagation axis. The emission angle is adjusted by the flying focus technique, which determines the speed and direction of the ionization front created by the single-color laser pulse. This easily adjustable THz source, being well separated from the intense laser, opens exciting applications for remote THz spectroscopy.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Recollision induced superradiance of ionized nitrogen molecules

We propose a new mechanism to explain the origin of optical gain in the transitions between excited and ground state of the ionized nitrogen molecule following irradiation of neutral nitrogen molecules with an intense ultra short laser pulse. An efficient transfer of population to the excited state is achieved via field-induced multiple recollisions. We show that the proposed excitation mechanism must lead to a super-radiant emission, a feature that we confirm experimentally.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Laser beam self-symmetrization in air in the multifilamentation regime

We show experimental and numerical evidence of spontaneous self-symmetrization of focused laser beams experiencing multi-filamentation in air. The symmetrization effect is observed as the multiple filaments generated prior to focus approach the focal volume. This phenomenon is attributed to the nonlinear interactions amongst the different parts of the beam mediated by the optical Kerr effect, which leads to a symmetric redistribution of the wave vectors even when the beam consists of a bundle of many filaments.

physics.optics↗