Generation of turbulence in fluids by coherent and noncoherent radiation beams and thermal self-interaction thresholds

The thresholds of generation of turbulence are determined for coherent and noncoherent radiation beams traveling vertically and horizontally in liquids and gases initially at rest. A comparison of the results obtained with the available experimental data confirms the validity of the proposed model. It is shown that the thresholds of generation of turbulence by a vertical beam are less than the thresholds of appearance of nonlinear refraction (self-focusing and self-defocusing), whereas in the case of a horizontal beam the turbulence generation thresholds are considerably higher. The thresholds of suppression and enhancement of "external" turbulence are estimated for beams of radiation propagating in media which are initially turbulent.