Abstract: A method and system for generating laser induced plasma targets for use as an electromagnetic testbed. A method comprising the steps of propagating an intense laser pulse in a media, dividing the laser pulse into a plurality of lasers, focusing each of the plurality of lasers, directing each of the plurality of lasers into a testbed and rastering a plasma-based array, wherein the array is reflective of incident frequencies. Additionally, a plasma target system comprising: a laser source, a focus lens, a steering system, a plasma-based array, and an interrogation system. The laser source generates a short laser pulse. The focus lens focuses the laser pulse. The steering system directs the laser pulse into a test bed. The plasma-based array serves as a target for the testbed. The interrogation system utilizes an incident frequency for tracking the plasma-based array.

Abstract: A system and method generates confined electromagnetic radiation emanating from a remote position along a line of sight. The system includes a laser arrangement and a wavefront modifier. The laser arrangement generates at least one laser beam. The wavefront modifier produces a spatial arrangement of foci of the laser beam directed along the line of sight. The foci of the laser beam induce plasma filaments within an atmosphere at the remote position along the line of sight. The plasma filaments emit the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the remote position along the line of sight.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of propagating an infrared laser pulse in air, self-focusing the laser pulse until the laser reaches a critical power density, wherein molecules in the air ionize and simultaneously absorb a plurality of infrared photons resulting in a clamping effect on the intensity of the pulse, wherein the laser pulse defocuses and plasma is created, causing a dynamical competition between the self-focusing of the laser pulse and the defocusing effect due to the created plasma, the laser pulse maintaining a small beam diameter and high peak intensity over large distances, creating a plasma column, repeating the above steps to create a plurality of plasma columns, creating a parallel linear array with the plurality of plasma columns, and using the array to deflect an incident energy.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of propagating an infrared laser pulse in air, self-focusing the laser pulse until the laser reaches a critical power density, wherein molecules in the air ionize and simultaneously absorb a plurality of infrared photons resulting in a clamping effect on the intensity of the pulse, wherein the laser pulse defocuses and plasma is created, causing a dynamical competition between the self-focusing of the laser pulse and the defocusing effect due to the created plasma, the laser pulse maintaining a small beam diameter and high peak intensity over large distances, creating a plasma column, repeating the above steps to create a plurality of plasma columns, creating a parallel linear array with the plurality of plasma columns, and using the array to deflect an incident energy.