Ultrashort Electric Pulse Generation

Plasma filaments generated in the atmosphere by ultrashort laser pulses therefore appear to be able to trigger electric events in thunderclouds under high positive electric field. This result constitutes a first step towards laser-controlled lightning. 

Commonly used THz-TDS is a technique in which samples are probed with ultrashort THz pulses [7]. Typically, THz pulses are generated by irradiating a photocommuter with a femtosecond laser. Photocommuters are electrical switches build in semiconductor material that is activated by the increase in electrical conductivity when the substrate is exposed to an electromagnetic field. The photon energy of the laser must be sufficient to overcome the bandgap of... 

---