OICC Press Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics 2251-7235 20 2 2026 04 30 Exploring ‎propagation ‎regimes of ‎amplitude-‎modulated dark ‎and antidark ‎Gaussian laser ‎beams in plasma 10.57647/jtap.2026.2002.19 EN Manisha B. Mane Department of Physics, Devchand College, Arjunnagar 591 237, Maharashtra, India Prajakta P. Patil Department of Physics, Devchand College, Arjunnagar 591 237, Maharashtra, India Mansing V. Takale Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004, Maharashtra, India Sandip D. Patil Department of Physics, Devchand College, Arjunnagar 591 237, Maharashtra, India Journal Article 2026 04 30 In this work, we analyzed three distinct propagation regimes of amplitude-modulated dark and antidark Gaussian (DADG) laser beams in plasma by considering ponderomotive nonlinearity. Based on Wentzel-Krammers-Brillouin (WKB) and paraxial approximations, the nonlinear differential equation for the beam-width parameter of DADG beams is derived. The behaviour of DADG beams propagation is elucidated through the analysis of critical and divider curves. The dependence of the beam-width parameter on propagation distance is illustrated for different values of the modulation parameter of DADG beams. The relevance of axial intensity and dielectric function with the dependence of the beam-width parameter of DADG beams on the distance of propagation has been illustrated. Further, the effect of plasma temperature and inhomogeneity on the self-focusing of DADG beams in plasma has been explored. The fundamental Gaussian beam is obtained as a particular case of the present study. Our results show that the self-focusing of antidark (dark) Gaussian beams is more (less) pronounced as compared with fundamental Gaussian beam.