Influence of laser polarization on plasma fluorescence emission during the femtosecond filamentation in air

The laser polarization state has a great influence on the plasma fluorescence emission during femtoseond filamentation in air. For the spectral lines from N-2, in the case of focusing lens with longer focal length (f=100 cm), due to the impact excitation, circular polarization leads to stronger fluorescence emission when the laser energy is higher than the 'energy threshold' (2.0 mJ). As a lens with shorter focal length (f=40 cm) is used, a similar phenomenon can be observed, however, the 'energy threshold' is much lower, which is lower than 0.8 mJ. For the lines from N2, especially for the 391 nm one, their emission is stronger in the linear polarization state. The mechanism of plasma fluorescence emission during femtosecond filamentation is discussed based on the analysis of these phenomena, which will be helpful to the remote sensing and spectrum analysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.