Generation of extended filaments of femtosecond pulses in air by use of a single-step phase plate.

We experimentally demonstrate that by use of a phase plate that is placed between an adjustable aperture and a focusing lens, the length of the filament can be dramatically extended in air with a femtosecond laser pulse. In addition, the far-field beam profile captured after the filament indicates that the supercontinuum is strongly confined on axis, and a single filament appears to be attainable at relatively high input pulse power when the phase plate is used.