Magnified imagery of the focal volume within a nonlinear material, following the arrival of a high power laser pulse, provides insights on the response of the material. Emitted and scattered light images are presented along with time-resolved shadowgraphs (obtained through a pump-probe scheme) showing the response from various limiting materials in both liquid and solid hosts. The different types of images taken together make it possible to determine what occurs and where it occurs within the limiting material. Often unsuspected phenomena are found to be important. Conclusions from the data and the general utility of the technique are discussed.
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