HIGH-INTENSITY PULSE-PROPAGATION IN THE EXTREME SHARP-LINE LIMIT

We observe the propagation and reshaping of intense pulses, with a pul se area greater than pi, through a highly absorbing medium. Depending on pulse and absorber parameters, both pulse breakup and undistorted p ulse propagation are observed. Using a theoretical description of puls e propagation in the sharp-line and a multilevel system possessing une qual transition dipole moments, we demonstrate good agreement with the observations.