Evolution of ultrashort laser pulse in large amplitude plasma waves

The propagation and evolution of an ultrashort laser pulse in a large amplitude plasma wave are investigated based on the photon kinetic theory. The photon number distribution function for a laser pulse in the phase space is analytically obtained by solving the photon kinetic equation in the background plasma wave. And then, the behavior of the laser pulse can be described by combining the single photon dynamics and the photon number distribution function. The evolutions of the photon number density in the coordinate and frequency domain space are discussed, and broadening or compressing of the laser pulse is also displayed in this paper. In particular, the frequency shift of the entire laser pulse is analyzed, which reflects a way of energy transformation between the laser pulse and the plasma wave.