Strong enhancement of terahertz radiation from laser filaments in air by a static electric field

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Jun 27;100(25):255006. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.255006. Epub 2008 Jun 26.

Abstract

We observe a 3 order of magnitude enhancement of the terahertz energy radiated by a femtosecond pulse undergoing filamentation in air in the presence of a static electric field. Measurements of terahertz pulse duration, spectrum, polarization, and radiation pattern elucidate the physical processes responsible for this radiation. A theoretical model explains the results and predicts another 3 orders of magnitude enhancement with a terawatt laser pulse.