Formation of electromagnetic shocks on optical cycle near leading front of femtosecond laser pulse

There is considered possibility of formation of shock electromagnetic waves (SHEW) on optical cycle of laser pulse propagating in wide band-gat) transparent solid dielectric. Main regularities of SHEW formation are studied on the basis of ID model of plane-wave propagation in isotropic dielectric with nonlinear optical response and dispersion. Special attention is paid to influence of color dispersion on SEW formation and propagation. It is shown, that SHEW can appear at input intensity close to threshold of bulk damage for tightly focused femtosecond pulses, i.e., 10-100 TW/cm(2) when generation of strongly synchronized higher harmonics can take place. There is considered range of parameters of laser pulse and the material within which SHEW can appear. Results of computational modeling illustrating structure and spectrum of SHEW are presented.