Abstract

Self-induced transparency mode locking (or coherent mode locking, CML), which is based on intracavity self-induced transparency soliton dynamics, potentially allows achievement of nearly single-cycle intracavity pulse durations, much below the phase relaxation time $T_2$ in a laser which, despite having great promise, has not yet been realized experimentally. We develop a diagram technique which allows us to predict the main features of CML regimes in a generic two-section laser far from the single-cycle limit. We show that CML can arise directly at the first laser threshold if the phase relaxation time is large enough. Furthermore, we discuss the stability of the corresponding mapping. We also predict the existence of “super-CML regimes,” with a pulse coupled to several Rabi oscillations in the nonlinear medium.

© 2016 Optical Society of America

Self-induced transparency and coherent population trapping of ⁸⁷Rb vapor in a mode-locked laser

Koji Masuda, Christoph Affolderbach, Gaetano Mileti, Jean-Claude Diels, and Ladan Arissian
Opt. Lett. 40(9) 2146-2149 (2015)

Generation of orthogonally polarized self-mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers with tunable beat frequencies from the thermally induced birefringence

C. L. Sung, H. P. Cheng, C. Y. Lee, C. Y. Cho, H. C. Liang, and Y. F. Chen
Opt. Lett. 41(8) 1781-1784 (2016)

Strong excitation of emitters in an impedance matched cavity: the area theorem, π-pulse and self-induced transparency

Thierry Chanelière
Opt. Express 22(4) 4423-4436 (2014)

Mode-locking induced by coherent driving in fiber lasers

Carlos Mas Arabí, Nicolas Englebert, Pedro Parra-Rivas, Simon-Pierre Gorza, and François Leo
Opt. Lett. 47(14) 3527-3530 (2022)

PT-symmetric mode-locking

S. Longhi
Opt. Lett. 41(19) 4518-4521 (2016)