Observation of nonlinear optical phenomena in air and fused silica using a 100 GW, 1.54 μm source

A 100-GW optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier system is used to study nonlinear effects in the 1.54 μm regime. When focusing this beam in air, strong third-harmonic generation (THG) is observed, and both the spectra and efficiency are measured. Broadening is observed on only the blue side of the third-harmonic signal and an energy conversion efficiency of 0.2% is achieved. When propagated through a 10-cm block of fused silica, a collimated beam is seen to collapse and form multiple filaments. The measured spectral features span 400-2100 nm. The spectrum is dominated by previously unobserved Stokes emissions and broad emissions in the visible. © 2006 Optical Society of America.