Abstract:
Laser beam propagation in the media with complex quadratic index of refraction
n =
n0 +
n2r2/
re2 was investigated. The expressions of beam radius,
W(
z) and curvature of its wave front,
R(
z)
-1 were obtained. The self-similar (s.s.) mode (perfect guiding) will occure after propagation distance larger than a characteristic length
zc, only if
n21≠0. The s.s. mode is a eigenmode of media, its propagation parameters
W,
R-1 are dependent on
n2, but independent of the initial value
W0,
R0-1. At the end, s. s. mode is a Gaussian spherical wave, not the plane wave.