Parameter ranges for CW passive mode locking
Abstract
CW passive mode locking of a homogeneously broadened laser is considered. In the coordinate plane whose abscissa is proportional to the small-signal saturable absorber loading and whose ordinate is proportional to the small-signal gain steady-state single-pulse mode-locking solutions, stability against relaxation oscillations, and self-starting of mode locking are laid out. The assumption is made that CW mode locking can be obtained only for a choice of parameters for which all three regimes overlap and that the overlap regime is reached by a monotonic increase of small-signal gain (pumping), without passing outside the regime characterized by stability against relaxation oscillations. Requirements on the parameters for the obtainment of single-pulse mode locking by a saturable absorber are given. The analysis explains why it has been impossible to mode lock passively the CW Nd:YAG laser, but passive mode locking of the CW dye-laser system is possible.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Pub Date:
- March 1976
- DOI:
- 10.1109/JQE.1976.1069112
- Bibcode:
- 1976IJQE...12..169H
- Keywords:
-
- Absorbers (Materials);
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- Dye Lasers;
- Laser Mode Locking;
- Relaxation Oscillators;
- Yag Lasers;
- Broadband;
- Laser Materials;
- Power Gain;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Saturation;
- Self Stimulation;
- Systems Stability;
- Lasers and Masers