Self-focusing dynamics of few optical cycle pulses

Journal Article · Fri Apr 07 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2195201· OSTI ID:20798511

Skobelev, S A; Mironov, V A; Litvak, A G; Balakin, A A ^[1]

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1. Institute of Applied Physics RAS, 46 Ulyanov St., 603950 Nizhny Novgorod (Russian Federation)

The self-action dynamics of three-dimensional wave packets whose width is of the order of carrier frequency is studied under rather general assumptions concerning the dispersion properties of the medium. The condition for the wave field collapse is determined. Self-action regimes in a dispersion-free medium and in media with predominance of anomalous or normal group velocity dispersions are numerically investigated. It is shown that, for extremely short pulses, nonlinearity leads not only to the self-compression of the wave field but also to a 'turn-over' of the longitudinal profile. In a dispersionless medium, the formation of a shock front within the pulse leads to the nonlinear dissipation of linearly polarized radiation and to self-focusing stabilization. For circularly polarized radiation, the wave collapse is accompanied by the formation of an envelope shock wave.

• OSTI ID: 20798511
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 827; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPRESSION
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
NONLINEAR OPTICS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA HEATING
PULSES
SHOCK WAVES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WAVE PACKETS