Dynamic wavefront-conjugating mirror based on CdF2 crystals with bistable in centers

The wavefront reversal upon degenerate four-wave interaction in a CdF₂ crystal with bistable In centers is experimentally investigated using a pulsed ruby laser as a pump source. The reflectance and operating speed of the wavefront-conjugating mirror are measured and the quality of the reflected wave, as well as of the compensation of model phase distortions, is estimated. An operating speed of about 15 ns is obtained for such a mirror with a reflectance of up to 2% at room temperature. Compensation of model large-scale distortions yields a gain in the beam divergence of 20 and a quality of compensation of 1.05.