Nonlinear Nonperturbative Optics Model Enriched by Evolution Equation for Polarization

Abstract

In this work, we extend and analyze the nonperturbative Maxwell-Schrödinger-Plasma (MASP) model. This model was proposed to describe the high order optical nonlinearities, and the low density free electron plasma generated by a laser pulse propagating in a gas. The MASP model is based on nonasymptotic, ab-initio equations, and accurately uses self-consistent description of micro (quantum)- and macro (field)- variables. However, its major drawback is a high computational cost, which in practice means that only short propagation lengths can be calculated. In order to reduce this cost, we study the MASP models enriched by a macroscopic evolution equation for polarization, from its simplest version in a form of transport equation, to more complex nonlinear variants. We show that homogeneous transport equation is a more universal tool to simulate the high harmonic spectra at shorter times and/or at a lower computational cost, while the nonlinear equation could be useful for modeling the pulse profiles when the ionization level is moderate. The gain associated with the considered modifications of the MASP model, being expressed in reduction of computational time and the number of processors involved, is of 2-3 orders of magnitude.

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