Electromagnetic waves dynamics in a nonlinear dielectric slab by the method of characteristics

Abstract

Electromagnetic shock waves are a relatively unexplored field. This paper considers their propagation in the case of a dielectric slab. At first we examine the mathematical problem relating to the physical interpretation of the uniqueness of the solution. A link between uniqueness and irreversibility is pointed out as in the case of shock waves in gasdynamics. Then we illustrate an algorithm, based on the concept of characteristics curves, which gives a very interesting performance.