Propagation of spatially inhomogeneous radiation in nonlinear resonant media

A theoretical study is made of the influence of diffraction by self-induced amplitude gratings on propagation of spatially inhomogeneous radiation in nonlinear resonant media. Dependences of the gain and absorption, and also of the distortion of the spatial spectrum on the parameters of the medium and radiation are determined. It is shown that interfering radiation is amplified and absorbed under saturation conditions less strongly than is spatially homogeneous radiation.