title: Pulse propagation in a two-component relaxing nonlinear heterogeneous medium.
abstract: The propagation of an intense light pulse in a two-component relaxing heterogeneous nonlinear medium is considered within the single-flux approximation. The pulses are shown to be strongly distorted owing to the finite relaxation of the medium. In a weakly heterogeneous medium, the transient suppression of light scattering through the optical nonlinearity may lead to pulse shortening or to square-type pulses. These effects are consequences of the intensity autolimitation and laser-induced self-transparency that are expected in the stationary regime in these media.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flytzanis