Abstract
We study the nonlinear propagation of space-time pulsed beams, also known as time-diffracting beams, a recently introduced class of diffraction-free spatiotemporal wave packets whose temporal-transversal structure is that of diffraction in time. We report on the spontaneous formation of propagation-invariant, spatiotemporally compressed pulsed beams carrying finite power from exciting time-diffracting Gaussian beams in media with cubic Kerr nonlinearity at powers below the critical power for collapse, and also with other collapse-arresting nonlinearities above the critical power. Their attraction property makes the experimental observation of the self-trapped pulsed beams in cubic Kerr media feasible. The structure in the temporal and transversal dimensions of the self-trapped wave packets is shown to be the same as the structure in the axial and transversal dimensions of the self-focusing and (arrested) collapse of monochromatic Gaussian beams.
Highlights
Many advances in linear optics open new lines of research in nonlinear optics at high light intensities
The spatiotemporal shape of these pulsed beam has been shown to reproduce the axial-transversal structure of monochromatic light that experiences diffraction spreading, that is, diffraction appears to be swapped from the longitudinal direction to time [16, 17], which is why they are called time-diffracting beams (TD beams)
We demonstrate that the structure in the temporal and transversal dimensions of these wave self-trapped wave packets is a self-focusing or collapse event occurring in time, depending on the specific nonlinearities and the input TD beam power
Summary
Many advances in linear optics open new lines of research in nonlinear optics at high light intensities. The possibility of achieving stationary propagation of strongly localized waves in the transversal direction, a possibility discarded with monochromatic light in pure Kerr media [22, 23], relies on coupling the temporal and spatial degrees of freedom. This result is closely connected with similar properties of nonlinear X waves [24,25,26], since ST couplings are at work in the stationary propagation in both cases. We demonstrate that the structure in the temporal and transversal dimensions of these wave self-trapped wave packets is a self-focusing or (arrested) collapse event occurring in time, depending on the specific nonlinearities and the input TD beam power
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