Thermal self-actions of laser beams

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental studies of thermal self-defocusing and self-focusing CW laser beams in liquids and solids are given. An analytical theory of thermal self-actions, including aberration phenomena, is developed. Special attention is given to the problem of thermal self-defocusing in liquids with flows (wind or convection). The new effect of continuous light-beam deflection in absorbing moving media is discussed.