Self-focusing and frequency broadening of laser pulse in water

Abstract

An analytical model for the avalanche breakdown of water by an intense short laser pulse of finite spot size is developed. Initially, the laser undergoes self-focusing due to Kerr nonlinearity. As it acquires large intensity, it causes heating and avalanche breakdown of water. The plasma thus created on the laser axis causes nonlinear refraction induced defocusing of the laser. Thermal conduction tends to flatten the temperature profile and reduce the nonlinear refraction. The plasma density modification leads to frequency broadening of the laser.