Spectral characteristics of light wave reversal in a nondegenerate four-wave interaction in a resonant medium

An investigation is made of wavefront reversal of optical radiation in a nondegenerate four-wave interaction in a resonant medium. It is shown that for a pump intensity comparable with the saturation intensity of the absorption line of the resonant medium, the reversed wave spectrum has two side peaks positioned symmetrically relative to the central peak which corresponds to a degenerate interaction. These side peaks are attributable to regions of negative absorption (amplification) of weak radiation by the resonant medium situated in a high-power field of opposite pump waves. The dependences of the magnitudes and positions of these peaks on the pump intensity can be used to control the spectral and energy characteristics of the reflected radiation. The conditions for self-excitation of a reversing system based on resonant four-wave interaction are determined. In particular, the ranges of the pump intensity and the optical density of the resonant medium in which self-excitation of the reversing system may occur, are determined for a degenerate interaction.