Dynamics of Short Laser Pulses Propagating in Plasma Channels

Abstract

We present an extension of the paraxial wave equation, taking finite-pulse-length effects into account. A pair of coupled envelope-power equations having finite pulse length as well as nonlinear focusing effects is derived and analyzed in a plasma channel. In plasma channels, pulses can undergo an envelope modulation which is damped in the front and initially grows in the back of the pulse. Finite-pulse-length effects also significantly increase the nonlinear focusing.