Self-focusing of super-Gaussian laser beam inmagnetized plasma under relativistic and ponderomotive regime

In this paper, we have investigated the propagation characteristics of super-Gaussian laser beam in magnetized plasma. Self-focusing of short pulse laser propagating along the direction of ambient magnetic field in plasma is studied. The nonlinearity arises through the combined effect of relativistic mass variation and ponderomotive force induced electron cavitation. An appropriate nonlinear Schro¨dinger equation has been solved analytically using variational approach. Self-phase modulation is also studied under variety of parameters. Further, the effect of magnetic field on self-focusing of the beam have been explored.