Abstract

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A high-intensity, femtosecond laser beam propagates through a medium in such a way that nonlinear effects are observed. A simulation method is desired to model the intensity distribution of a focusing beam as it interacts with the surface and within the bulk of an optical substrate; such an interaction would enable both the creation of photonics devices by welding through glass and optical finishing by removal of material through ablation. A beam propagation method will be constructed to simulate the intensity distribution of a beam as it is travels initially through air and is then altered by the nonlinear effect of self-focusing, a process in which the beam can travel through a flat substrate as opposed to a curved lens and still become focused with the substrate as the material is altered by the high intensity of the beam.