Variational approach to nonlinear self-focusing of Gaussian laser beams

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862445· OSTI ID:6462193

Anderson, D; Bonnedal, M

The problem of nonlinear self-focusing of Gaussian laser beams is reformulated in terms of a variational principle. By means of approximating Gaussian functions, expressions are obtained for the equilibrium radii and nonlinear frequency shifts of stationary self-trapped laser beams. The nonsteady propagation is given an illuminating form in terms of a potential function description. The analysis confirms the recent results obtained by moment theory as opposed to those based on paraxial ray approximations.

• Research Organization: Institute for Electromagnetic Field Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, S-402 20 Goeteborg, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 6462193
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Vol. 22:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
LASER RADIATION
FOCUSING
PLASMA
GAUSS FUNCTION
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
VARIATIONAL METHODS
WAVE PROPAGATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FUNCTIONS
RADIATIONS
700108* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena
657005 - Theoretical Physics- Optics