At high powers, lasers are able to ablate material from solid target surfaces as well as generate shockwaves and produce radiofrequency signals on the target surface. When extremely powerful laser beams propagate through air, they can form self-guided channels of light known as filaments. These filaments can travel long distances while maintaining their focus, allowing high intensity target interactions far from the laser output. 

The Laser Plasma Laboratory is uniquely situated to study the high intensity laser light-matter interaction effects of both focused pulses in the laboratory in addition to those effects from pulses propagated outdoors. By researching light-matter interactions under extreme conditions, we aim to develop practical tools and applications for sensing and defense