On the nonlinear propagation of few-cycle pulses in a uniaxial crystal

The soliton-like dynamics of few-cycle optical pulses propagating in a uniaxial crystal at an arbitrary angle to the optic axis is analytically studied. Solutions describing the one-dimensional dynamics of pulses representing coupled states of the ordinary and extraordinary field components are analyzed. The ordinary component can contain an arbitrary number (down to one period) of optical oscillations, whereas the extraordinary component is a unipolar video pulse. The effect of small-scale transverse perturbations on the propagation of such pulses is considered. Regions of values of parameters of the medium and the pulse in which the propagation is stable are found. The spectrum of the ordinary component is shown to substantially depend on the sign of the birefringence of the crystal as well as on the angle at which the pulse propagates with respect to the optic axis.