title: Modulational instability and pattern formation in the field of noncollinear pump beams.
abstract: We study pattern formation that is due to modulational instability of noncollinear counterpropagating beams. Angular misalignment of the pumps over a broad range leads to the generation of lines oriented perpendicular to the plane of the pump beams. A theoretical expression for the angular separation of the lines is in close agreement with observations. Outside this range, for both small and large misalignments, we observe squeezed hexagonal patterns.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Mamaev
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saffman