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By the application of a multi-physics model describing the nonlinear propagation of a femtosecond, near-infrared laser pulse in bulk sapphire, we show that even under extreme focusing conditions, the ionization is rigidly clamped at about one tenths of the electron density in the upper valence band. The earlier estimates of approximately 10 TPa pressure that could be attainable through the internal excitation of transparent dielectrics by tightly focused ultrafast laser beams is shown to be off by two orders of magnitude. We discuss potential routes towards overcoming the clamping limit and present experimental results on the generation of internal voids in bulk sapphire by ultrafast, simultaneously spatially and temporally focused (SSTF) laser beams.
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Pavel Polynkin, Anton Rudenko, Jerome V. Moloney, "Ionization clamping in ultrafast optical breakdown of transparent solids," Proc. SPIE PC12939, High-Power Laser Ablation VIII, PC129391C (11 April 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3025246