2-D asymmetric induced phase modulation: spatial and spatio-temporal aspects

A multidimensional generalization of the Fresnel-Kirchhoff theory for analyzing the far-field pattern of a probe beam/pulse, passing trough a thin nonlinear medium is developed. The experimental results obtained agree qualitatively with the theoretical predictions. It is shown that the asymmetric induced-phase modulation offers the possibility for a simultaneous shaping and shortening of probe pulses.