Nonlinear guided propagation of few-optical-cycle laser pulses with arbitrary polarization states

The physics of guided nonlinear propagation of ultrashort pulses with an arbitrary polarization state is investigated down to the few-cycle regime. The electric field of the pulse is described in terms of monochromatic circularly polarized waves; numerical simulations for the propagation of ultrashort pulses with elliptical and circular polarization are presented and discussed. The theoretical results can be applied to the compression of high-energy laser pulses with an arbitrary polarization state. An experimental demonstration of the compression of circularly polarized pulses is presented.