Short-pulse lasers for weather control

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Non-linear Optics
• Laser Science

Background:

• Laser filamentation involves self-sustained light structures generated by ultra-short TW-class lasers.
• These filaments balance Kerr self-focusing with plasma defocusing and non-linear polarization saturation.
• Filaments propagate over hundreds of meters, creating low-density plasma and a broad supercontinuum via self-phase modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in using laser filaments for atmospheric research.
• To reveal the underlying mechanisms of laser filament interactions with the atmosphere.
• To discuss the potential of laser filaments for weather control applications.

Main Methods:

• Non-linear propagation of ultra-short TW-class lasers in air.
• Generation of supercontinuum via self-phase modulation.
• Investigation of photo-ionization and photo-dissociation effects on atmospheric components.
• Field and laboratory experiments to study atmospheric process modulation.

Main Results:

• Laser filaments can be used for remote 3D-monitoring of atmospheric components via Lidar.
• High-intensity filaments modify air chemistry through photo-ionization and photo-dissociation.
• Exploitation of filament properties to investigate modulation of atmospheric processes like lightning and fog formation/dissipation.

Conclusions:

• Laser filaments offer new perspectives in atmospheric research and remote sensing.
• These non-linear photonic structures have the potential to influence key atmospheric processes.
• Further research and development could lead to real-scale weather control applications.