Аннотация:We compare femtosecond hollow-core multifilament arrays created in the air with a TEM11 phase plate and a Dammann diffraction grating under additional loose focusing. Phase shifts introduced into the beam by the phase plate lead to zero intensity lines, which prevent transverse energy flow and filament merging. The Dammann grating forms four spatially separated energy reservoirs near the focus due to the interference. Transverse multifilament structure obtained using the Dammann grating is more resistant to phase and amplitude distortions of the initial laser beam. Plasma density inside the multifilament arrays does not exceed the value in a single filament, obtained without DOEs.