Abstract

Numerical wave propagation in photorefractive media requires the implementation of a generally complex and continuously changing index of refraction in the solution. This makes the diffraction integral of Rayleigh and Sommerfeld¹ inappropriate for treating cases of nonlinear propagation. Instead, the direct solution of the wave equation is used.^2,3 In this paper we present a numerical solution for propagation in a one dimensional infinite slab. The numerical code is applied to the case of energy transfer between two beams in photorefractive media.

© 1987 Optical Society of America