Propagation dynamics of q-Gaussian laser beams in preformed collisionless plasma channel: self-focusing, self-channeling, and self-phase modulation

A study was conducted to examine the dynamics of a q-Gaussian laser beam as it travels through a preformed collisionless plasma channel. The analysis focused on observing the changes in beam width, phase shift, and self-trapping of the laser beam. The refractive properties of the plasma were assumed to exhibit laser-induced nonlinearity, specifically ponderomotive nonlinearity. By employing a moment theory approach in the W.K.B approximation, a set of coupled differential equations governing the evolution of the laser beam’s spot size with propagation distance was derived. These differential equations were then solved numerically to explore the influence of both laser and channel parameters on the propagation dynamics of the laser beam.