Abstract
With ultrashort laser pulses (25 fs) and low energy we observe laser plasma channels with a length over 5 m in air. The diameter of the plasma channel is measured to be The average electron density in the channel is inferred to be about with an interferometric method. At the same time, the temporal evolution of the electron density in the plasma channel is investigated. The resistivity in the plasma channel is measured to be less than It is suggested that the lifetime of the plasma channel can be greatly prolonged by launching another long laser pulse along the plasma channel.
- Received 30 August 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.66.016406
©2002 American Physical Society