Beam shape modification due to the non-linear optical response in a dense rubidium vapor

Dense atomic vapors have strong non-linear optical properties for near-resonant light. As a result, an initially Gaussian beam profile is strongly distorted due to propagation through such dense vapor, leading various distinct profiles. In our experiment, we track the detuning from resonance at which these profiles occur as function of intensity. We establish curve intensity each shape two different cell temperatures. After proper scaling, curves all collapse onto one universal curve, suggests that shapes are manifestations same underlying phenomenon.