Physical processes upon the optical discharge propagation in optical fiber

Abstract

Recent theoretical works on the physics of the fiber fuse effect in optical fiber are reviewed. A qualitative interpretation of the significant increase in the absorption of quartz glass with increasing temperature is presented. The results of the 2D simulation of the optical discharge propagation in optical fiber are analyzed. The results of the simulation are in agreement with the recent measurements of the spatial distribution of the bright-spot radiation intensity. It is demonstrated that the recently demonstrated fast propagation of the optical discharge can be interpreted as light detonation. A mechanism for the formation of a chain of cavities in the fiber-fuse track is considered. It is demonstrated that this effect cannot be interpreted using the Rayleigh capillary instability due to the relatively high viscosity of glass. The periodicity of the cavities can be related to an instability of a new type. A high-density double layer of charges emerges at the plasma-liquid interface. A tendency towards an increase in the surface owing to the repulsion of like charges provides for a development of the instability that causes the formation of the chain of cavities.