title: Experimental investigation of stochastic pulsation and formation of light bullets with megagauss magnetic fields by an intense laser pulse propagating in a preionized plasma.
abstract: The generation of extremely stable light bullets in a preformed plasma near critical density has been observed experimentally during the interaction of intense picosecond laser beam with a metallic target in air. Optical probing measurements indicate the formation of pulsating channels, typically of about 5 microm in diameter, directed towards a heating laser beam, as well as of disconnected massive plasma blocks moving also towards the laser beam. The velocities of the dense plasma blocks reach the values of 4.5x10(8) cm/s. The blocks are stable during their acceleration and propagation in air. Self-generated magnetic fields up to 4-7 MG were observed by means of the Faraday rotation of a probe laser beam.
authors.affiliation: University of Technology Chemnitz, Department of Physics, Optical Spectroscopy and Molecule Physics, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany.
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kochan