Abstract

This paper describes the self-focusing of laser radiation in atomic rubidium vapor close to the 5S_1/2–5P_3/2 resonance transition (780 nm). The self-focusing threshold power is measured at various transverse beam sizes of the laser radiation at the input of a cell with rubidium vapor. An increase of the self-focusing threshold power was observed at small beam diameters of the laser radiation. The results of the measurements were compared with the data of theoretical studies.

© 2017 Optical Society of America

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