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Bistability and optical switching of spatial patterns in a laser

Journal Article · · Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics; (USA)
 [1];  [2]
  1. Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, (Federal Republic of Germany)
  2. Physics Department, University of Queensland, St. Lucia/Brisbane, (Australia)
Bistability of the transverse configuration of the optical field is found for a helium--neon laser oscillating in the TEM{sub 01} hybrid optical-resonator mode. Optically induced switching between the mirror-symmetric field patterns occurs when a fraction of the spatially rotated output field is reinjected into the laser resonator. These phenomena are described theoretically with laser equations modeling the mutual interaction of the two first-order transverse modes of the optical resonator. The experimentally observed bistability and switching of the field patterns is in full qualitative agreement with the theoretical results.
OSTI ID:
7149731
Journal Information:
Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics; (USA) Vol. 7:6; ISSN JOBPD; ISSN 0740-3224
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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