Laser-induced condensation in the atmosphere: Mechanism and optimization

The filamentation of ultrashort laser pulses [1] attracts considerable interest due to its potential applications in remote sensing technologies, free space communications as well as weather diagnostics and modulation systems. They generate a plasma wake that modifies the physico-chemical properties of the air, allowing the condensation of aerosol particles in sub-saturated air. [2,3] This phenomenon is promising as a technique for analyzing and possibly modifying the behavior of clouds. [4]