paper

Variational analysis of self-focusing of intense ultrashort pulses in gases

arXiv:physics/0503131 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.72.026605

Abstract

By using perturbation theory we derive an expression for the electrical field of a Gaussian laser pulse propagating in a gas medium. This expression is used as a trial solution in a variational method to get quasianalytical solutions for the width, intensity and self-focusing distance of ultrashort pulse. The approximation gives an improved agreement with results of numerical simulations for a broad range of values of the input power of the pulse than previous analytical results available in the literature.

19 pages, 8 figures