The subjects of laser initiation and beam quality evolution in short-pulse-duration systems that employ confocal unstable resonators motivated this work. Experimentation and analysis of the performance of a laser-pumped, organic dye laser are presented. Combined results indicate that a saturation flux arises through a coalescence of stabilized, diverging-mode components of the initially emitted fluorescence. The ABCD law method was used to devise calculational techniques that clearly demonstrate the particular mechanisms responsible for rapid mode stabilization, subsequent beam quality development, and laser initiation.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

[Optical Society of America ]

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription