Self-diffraction in optically dense media

We investigate the phenomenon of self-diffraction in optically dense media for those cases where it is necessary to take into account the inverse effect of the medium on the field. Our study is based on a numerical analysis of the Maxwell–Bloch equations. This analysis reveals that, as the concentration of two-level systems increases, an anomalous response of four-wave mixing arises. This response is associated with the appearance of a self-diffraction signal in the negative-delay region and also with a faster decay of coherence in the system.