Variational approach to nonlinear self-focusing of Gaussian laser beams
- 1 January 1979
- journal article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Fluids
- Vol. 22 (1) , 105-109
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862445
Abstract
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.Keywords
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