Generation of 10-m-lengthscale plasma columns by resonant and off-resonant laser pulses

Creating extended, highly homogeneous plasma columns like that required by wakefield accelerators can be a challenge. We study the propagation of ultra-short, TW power ionizing laser pulses in 10-meter-long rubidium vapor and they create. perform experiments numerical simulations for with 780 nm central wavelength, which is resonant D$_2$ transition from ground state atoms, as well 810 some distance resonances. measure transmitted energy transverse width pulse use schlieren imaging to probe column close end source. find, are more confined direction interaction than off-resonant channels create sharply bounded. Off-resonant leave wider layer partially ionized atoms thus lose per unit distance. Using experimental data, we estimate generate 20-meter-long conclude much suitable creating long, plasma.