Nonlinear scattering of CO2-laser radiation in crystalline powder

A theoretical analysis shows that the nonlinear scattering of optical radiation by static optical inhomogeneities should lead to the intensity saturation of the light wave which has passed through the scattering medium. The intensity-saturation effect is confirmed experimentally for dense PbMoO4 crystalline powder. Results indicate that crystalline powder can be used as an efficient nonlinear scatterer for high-power pulsed IR radiation. Also considered is the use of dispersion IR-filters consisting of crystalline powder in the optical sections of high-power lasers.