Propagation of Gaussian beams family through a Kerr-type left-handed metamaterial

Abstract

In this paper the propagation of elegant Hermite-cosh-Gaussian, elegant Laguerre Gaussian, and Bessel Gaussian beams through a Kerr left-handed metamaterial (LHM) slab have been studied. A split-step Fourier method is used to investigate the propagation of laser beams through this media. Numerical simulation shows that Gaussian beams have different focusing behaviors in a Kerr LHM slab with positive or negative nonlinearity. Beam focusing happens in slabs with positive nonlinearity and not in slabs with negative nonlinearity; however, negative nonlinearity is required for a Kerr LHM slab to act like a lens. Additionally, the focusing properties of beams can be controlled by controlling the thickness of the slab or the input power of the incident beam. A multilayer structure is also proposed to have beam focusing by thinner slabs and passing longer distances.