Theory of passively mode-locked lasers for the case of a nonlinear complex-propagation coefficient

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.2.000753· OSTI ID:5783938

Martinez, O E; Fork, R L; Gordon, J P

We examine passive mode locking, to which not only net-gain saturation but also group-velocity dispersion and self-phase modulation contribute significantly. Different sources of self-phase modulation are considered, and closed-form analytical solutions are obtained. The case of the colliding-pulse mode locking is discussed, and an ideal case is considered, in which the self-phase modulation and group-velocity dispersion are balanced so as to take maximum advantage of this additional shaping mechanism. This mechanism is shown to be similar to that which causes solitons in optical fibers; it provides additional reduction of the pulse width and significantly improves the stability against fluctuations in net gain.

• Research Organization: ATandT Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
• OSTI ID: 5783938
• Journal Information: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 2:5; ISSN JOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMPLIFICATION
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
DYE LASERS
FUNCTIONS
GAIN
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
MODE LOCKING
MODULATION
NONLINEAR OPTICS
OPTICAL DISPERSION
OPTICS
PULSES
QUASI PARTICLES
SOLITONS
SOLVENTS
STABILITY
TRANSFER FUNCTIONS