Computer simulation of laser-beam self-focusing in a plasma

Laser-beam or soliton propagation is best modelled for fast computation usi ng a split-step Fourier method based on an orthogonal transform technique k nown as the beam-propagation method. The beam-propagation split-step Fourie r-transform technique in one and two dimensions for the propagation of a so liton or laser beam respectively in a nonlinear plasma and a split-step Han kel-transform-based algorithm for cylindrical-beam propagation close to cir cular cross-sectional symmetry and its computational implementation are dis cussed, Attention is particularly focused on the verification of the paraxi al approximations of the soliton or the laser beam using these techniques, after a brief review of the beam-propagation method.