Self-guided propagation of femtosecond pulses and damage in fused silica and glasses

This study reports self-guided propagation of femtosecond pulses in fused silica and glasses over 1 cm length in geometry where laser beam by entrance lens is focused in the middle of the sample. Such geometry is convenient for laser-induced bulk damage investigations, as surface damage can be prevented for long samples and short focal length lenses. Also laser-induced damage and nonlinear coloration in the formed filaments were investigated experimentally and theoretically.