Theory of tuning behaviour of the spin-flip laser

The tuning behaviour of the InSb spin-flip Raman laser is analysed using a theoretical model based on the solution of Maxwell's equations. These are the first calculations to take account of finite beam size, the effects of which are found to include a marked asymmetry of the power necessary to achieve threshold and of the tuning rate across each mode. These and other predictions of the model are discussed and related to recent experimental results.