The objective of this basic research project is to derive and interrogate mathematical models of the propagation of ultrashort pulses in mode locked lasers (particularly Ti:sapphire), the nonlinear propagation of light in certain optical waveguides and photonic lattices, and the nonlinear propagation of light in chi(2) media. The PI and his research team will study the nonlinear partial differential equations that arise from the full nonlinear Maxwell equations under various ...