PROPAGATION OF LIGHT-PULSES IN NONISOTROPIC MEDIA

We derive the propagation equation for the slowly varying envelope (SV E) of the electric field in a homogeneous dispersive nonisotropic medi um. Terms in the propagation equation of the field envelope that origi nate because of finite beam size are obtained and explained, including generalized Fresnel diffraction terms and a term that rotates the SVE wave packet in a uniaxial crystal about an axis perpendicular to the optical plane. Numerical estimates of these terms in the propagation o f short pulses in the uniaxial crystal beta-barium berate are presente d. We obtain an analytic expression for the SVE for an initial Gaussia n wave packet by keeping terms up to second order in the wave equation for the SVE. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America