SELF-TRAPPING IN MEDIA WITH SATURATION OF THE NONLINEAR INDEX

Abstract

Numerical solutions of the nonlinear wave equation show that the steady‐state self‐trapping of optical beams in molecular fluids exhibits new characteristics when the intensity‐dependent index (orientational Kerr effect) begins to saturate. The power dependence of the beam diameter and the radial electric field distribution are examined. Beam diameters less than the wavelength of light are predicted for CS₂ in the saturation regime.