Multidimensional aspects of nonlinear electromagnetic solitary pulses

This work is devoted to the study of the interaction between pulses of electromagnetic radiation and space-charge waves in laser-plasmas settings. We analyse modes depending only on the co-moving coordinate of the beam frame, but make no a priori assumption on the longitudinal-to-transverse aspect ratio of the pulses. The model thus constructed allows us to investigate regimes where transverse and longitudinal length scales of the pulses are comparable. Resonant and nonresonant excitations of space-charge modes are analyzed and the endurance of trains of solitons against transverse effects is clarified. •A study of EM pulses and space-charge waves in laser-plasmas settings is presented.•The role of transverse effects on trains of EM pulses in plasmas is studied.•Space-charge modes are studied in resonant and nonresonant regimes.•Estimates allow to predict how far can trains of pulses propagate before distortion.