Honeycomb pattern formation by laser-beam filamentation in atomic sodium vapor

Ryan S. Bennink, Vincent Wong, Alberto M. Marino, David L. Aronstein, Robert W. Boyd, C. R. Stroud, Svetlana Lukishova, Daniel J. Gauthier

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This study presents examples of observed optical pattern formation in which a single laser beam propagating through atomic sodium vapor without feedback develops a stable, regular transverse structure. In particular, a three-filament near-field pattern leading to a honeycomb far-field pattern occurs at intensities near the saturation intensity and at powers larger than (but of the order of magnitude of) the critical power for self-focusing. The three-filament pattern has a uniform phase profile and strongly correlated power fluctuations, which suggest that it is perhaps a quantum image. These observations are also found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations of filamentation in a two-level atomic medium.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2003 European Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2003
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages112
Number of pages1
ISBN (Electronic)0780377338, 9780780377332
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes
EventEuropean Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2003 - Munich, Germany
Duration: Jun 22 2003Jun 27 2003

Publication series

Name2003 European Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2003

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2003
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityMunich
Period06/22/0306/27/03

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