Guiding and damping of high-intensity laser pulses in long plasma channels

An experimental demonstration is presented of large-distance (up to 6.6 cm, or 75 Rayleigh lengths) guiding of high-intensity (>1016 W cm-2) laser pulses in a plasma channel produced by a capillary discharge. Theory and simulation are used to describe damped oscillations that occur in the laser spot size as well as laser-induced ionization within the channel. Good agreement is obtained between theory, simulation, and experiment.