Wavefront correction in a system comprising an interferometer and a nonlinear medium

An analysis was made of the possibility of correction of phase distortions of a light beam in a system comprising an interferometer and a nonlinear medium. It is shown that when the beam intensity exceeds a certain threshold value it is possible to eliminate completely the effects of small deformations of the wavefront. In general, such a system reduces the angular distribution in a beam. Experimental evidence is given of the feasibility of correcting a distorted phase front of CO₂ laser radiation by passage through a layer of ammonia.