SCALE FORMULATION OF FIRST-ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICS

Multidimensional propagation of a light pulse or beam in a nonlinear s ample of a Kerr type is described within the first-order optics formal ism. A scale transformation that relates the nonlinear and linear prop agation processes is defined by use of the nonlinear aberrationless ef fects. The nonlinear ray transfer matrix and Wigner distribution funct ion are explicitly given in a factored form for the propagation of a s ymmetric Gaussian optical signal. An on-axis phase correction to the n onlinear first-order formalism is also specified.