Simulation of femtosecond interferometry when studying the effect of intense laser irradiation of a transparent medium

A method for comparing experimental and simulation results obtained when transmitting a femtosecond laser pulse through a material is proposed. This method is based on computer reproduction of photographs recorded using femtosecond interferometry. A numerical analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of an intense (~10¹³ W cm^-2) pulse propagating in the bulk of yttrium aluminium garnet is presented.