The application of Gaussian beam. Formalism to optical propagation in nonlinear media

The nonlinear propagation problem of optical beams in media with an intensity dependent indices of refraction is solved in the case of a fundamental gaussian beam. This solution is made possible by assuming everywhere along the propagation path a quadratic index profile. The quadratic constant is obtained self-consistently from the second term in a Taylor expansion of the local gaussian intensity. The solution constitutes an extension of the well known ABCD formalism to nonlinear propagation.