Nonlinear propagation of short intense laser pulses in a hollow metallic waveguide - art. no. 016404

The propagation of a short intense laser pulse in the femtosecond range in a hollow metallic waveguide gives rise to heating of the metallic wall. The temperature of the degenerate electron gas in the wall is increased during the pulse duration and this heating affects the propagation and dissipatio n of the laser pulse. Analytical and numerical analysis shows that, as the dissipation is increased, the leading edge of the pulse decreases more slow ly than the rear, resulting in a pulse shortening.