Multi‐frequency mode‐locked lasers

Abstract

A new theoretical model is constructed which describes the operation of multi‐frequency, pulsed mode‐locked laser cavities. The model, which is a combination of multi channel interactions in the canonical master mode‐locking model subject to three different gain models which account for both self‐ and cross‐saturation effects, results in mode‐locking dynamics which qualitatively describe the observed experimental dual‐frequency laser operation. Specifically, the combination of self‐ and cross‐saturation in the gain allows for mode‐locking at two frequencies simultaneously, which can be of significantly different energies and pulsewidths. The model gives a framework for understanding the operation and stability of the increasingly important and timely technology of dual‐ and multi‐frequency mode‐locked laser cavities. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)