title: Collapse dynamics of super-Gaussian Beams.
abstract: We investigate the self-focusing dynamics of super-Gaussian optical beams in a Kerr medium. We find that up to several times the critical power for self-focusing, super-Gaussian beams evolve towards a Townes profile. At higher powers the super-Gaussian beams form rings which break into filaments as a result of noise. Our results are consistent with the observed self-focusing dynamics of femtosecond laser pulses in air [1] in which filaments are formed along a ring about the axis of the initial beam where the initial beam did not form a ring.
authors.forename: Taylor D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Grow
authors.forename: Amiel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ishaaya
authors.forename: Luat T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Vuong
authors.forename: Alexander L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gavish
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fibich