Effect of material dispersion on the focusing of isodiffracting ultrashort pulses by a lens

Abstract

Based on the Fourier transform, the focusing of isodiffracting ultrashort pulses by a lens is studied, where the material dispersion of first, second and higher order is taken into account, respectively. Numerical calculation results for spatial and temporal intensity distributions, photon flux and energy density of focused isodiffracting ultrashort pulses are given and illustrated. It is shown, compared to the dispersion-free case, that the first-order dispersion leads to a broadening of the pulse form, photon flux and energy density, and a decrease of their peak values. The second-order dispersion results in a further broadening of the pulse form and photon flux, and a further decrease of their peak values, whereas the higher-order dispersion plays a relatively minor role.