Self-induced change in the polarization of high-power resonant radiation in an LiF:F2– crystal

A two-level model of absorbing centers is used to make a theoretical analysis of the propagation of cw high-power resonant radiation in an LiF:F₂^– crystal. It is shown that saturation of the absorption is accompanied by a self-induced change in the polarization of the radiation that depends on the wave intensity and on the orientation of its electric vector relative to the crystallographic axes of the crystal.