Vectorial bistability and simultaneity of the two helicoidal stationary eigenstates of a ring laser

Abstract

The dynamics of the two helicoidal stationary eigenstates of a ring laser is investigated. It is experimentally shown that the choice of the isotopic composition of the HeNe gas discharge allows a control of the coupling constant of the two eigenstates. Vectorial bistability and vectorial simultaneity of the two eigenstates are observed and interpreted in the framework of a Landau potential model. © 1990.