2024-11-0919970740-322410.1364/JOSAB.14.0025772-s2.0-0031244732http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.14.002577https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/10114The effects of the saturation of absorption on the propagation of Gaussian laser beams in an absorber are investigated analytically. Using a dimensionless parameter quantifying the level of saturation, we calculate the modifications in the beam parameters as perturbations from known solutions. are carried out in two directions, covering both low-and high-saturation cases. mates the power transmission for all saturation levels. Numerical results are provided showing the effects of saturation on the spatial beam-spot size variation and the power transmission.OpticsJournal ArticleA1997YA003000207492