Dynamical behavior of a laser containing a saturable absorber
Abstract
The dynamic behavior of a CO2 laser containing SF6 as a saturable absorber was experimentally investigated using fast sweeps of the discharge current running through the laser. This system exhibits a dynamic broadening of the bistable region and a stabilization of the lasing and nonlasing states due to sweep dependent effects. The situation in which passive Q-switching can occur is also investigated. The experimental results are compared with those provided by computer simulations using the two 'effective levels' of the Low Saturable Absorber (LSA) previously developed by Arimondo et al. (1983).
- Publication:
-
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Pub Date:
- September 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1109/JQE.1985.1072837
- Bibcode:
- 1985IJQE...21.1486G
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Dynamic Characteristics;
- Laser Cavities;
- Laser Stability;
- Optical Bistability;
- Sulfur Fluorides;
- Absorbers (Materials);
- Energy Absorption;
- Laser Outputs;
- Mathematical Models;
- Q Switched Lasers;
- Saturation (Chemistry);
- Lasers and Masers