Propagation properties of ultrashort chirped pulsed Gaussian beams in the free space

Based on the Rayleigh diffraction integral and complex analytical signal representation, the free-space analytical propagation equation and its Fourier spectrum for ultrashort chirped pulsed Gaussian beams with constant diffraction length are derived. The effect of chirp parameter on the spatiotemporal and spectral properties is illustrated with analytical formulas and numerical calculation results. It is shown that the axial spectra of ultrashort chirped pulsed Gaussian beams become broadened with increasing chirp parameter. For single optical cycle, the transversal intensity distribution is affected by increasing chirp parameter, but almost not affected for several optical cycles. Moreover, the positive or negative sign of the chirp parameter has no effect on the spectral distribution and intensity distribution.