The influence of the energy reservoir on the plasma channel in focused femtosecond laser beams

The influence of the energy reservoir on plasma channel formation during the filamentation of tightly focused femtosecond laser beams was studied both experimentally and numerically. It was found that for the reservoir localized near the propagation axis, its diameter is much smaller than in the case of a collimated beam and decreases in the vicinity of the focus. A small diaphragm placed in the focal area does not eliminate the plasma channel behind the focal point.