A simple model is derived to prove the multifilament structure of relativistic self-focusing with ultraintense lasers. Exact analytical solutions describing the transverse structure of waveguide channels with electron cavitation, for which both the relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities are taken into account, are presented.

• Received 19 December 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.64.016412