The nonlinear transmittance of a single crystal ZnSe:Fe 2+ sample was measured at low and room temperature during the action of a laser pulse with a wavelength of 2940 nm. It was found that in a strong field (fluence 1.3 J cm −2 , a laser pulse duration of 320 ns, a peak intensity of 4.1 MW cm −2 ), the sample transmittance is about 70% at room and 77% at low temperature.In a single crystal ZnSe:Fe 2+ sample at a fluence of 1.3 J cm −2 and a spot diameter of high-power radiation of about 0.54 mm, at the temperature −168 °C lasing was observed along the surface of the sample, when feedback was provided by scattering from the matted surface of the sample. This effect should be taken into account when nonlinear transmittance measurements are fulfilled of a diffusion doped a single crystal ZnSe:Fe 2+ .