Propagation of a femtosecond laser pulse of a few optical oscillations in a uniaxial crystal

Abstract

AbstractUsing the method of unidirectional waves, we numerically solve a wave equation that describes the vector propagation of a femtosecond laser pulse of few optical cycles in a uniaxial crystal. Propagation of the pulse in the direction normal to the optical axis is studied, taking into account both the second‐ and third‐order nonlinearity of the crystal. Conversion efficiency as a function of crystal length, pump intensity, and pulse duration is studied. As an example, the propagation of a femtosecond laser pulse of τ = 10 fs duration at λ = 810 nm in a 12‐μm thick LiNbO3 crystal is numerically modeled. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 280–285, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10742