Transient self-diffraction of coherent light beams in an absorbing liquid

An experminetal investigation was made of the transient self-diffraction of coherent light beams in an absorbing liquid. The measured efficiency was comparable with the calculated value. The discrepancy between the calculated and experimental results increased on increase of the energy (but not the power) of the radiation supplied to 1 cm³ of liquid. An experiment involving the construction of a laser utilizing stimulated thermal scattering is described.