Femtosecond laser pulse propagation through aerosol clouds

Ultra short laser pulses ranging from about 5 fs and greater exist for free space communications. This paper presents experimental and theoretical results into the fundamental attenuation and scattering problem of ultra short pulses propagating in 2-3 μm aerosol clouds (simulating fog) at particle concentrations of 10⁵ particles per cm³. Experimental results did not statistically show any difference between >50 fs pulses and continuous wave (cw) laser propagation through clouds. The interesting results are that the frequency content of the laser pulse is preserved. Theoretical Time Dependent Mie Scattering (TDMS) codes have been developed to explain the reduction and transient nature of diffraction effects as the laser pulse is shortened.