Abstract

The analysis of the stability of the polarization modes of a quasi-isotropic laser is extended. The theory predicts the existence of catastrophes in the hysteresis loop of polarization versus frequency. Allowance is made for a weak cavity birefringence. Experiments with a He–Ne laser that operates at 3.39 μm quantitatively confirm the dependence of the hysteresis on gain, including the previously unidentified catastrophes.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

Stability of polarized modes in a quasi-isotropic laser

A. D. May and G. Stephan
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(12) 2355-2362 (1989)

Polarization modes in a quasi-isotropic laser: a general anisotropy model with applications

P. Paddon, E. Sjerve, A. D. May, M. Bourouis, and G. Stéphan
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 9(4) 574-589 (1992)

Polarization modes in a laser with large anisotropies: a stationary-state, non-mean-field theory

E. Sjerve, P. Paddon, A. D. May, and G. Stéphan
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 12(3) 440-448 (1995)

Competition effects in the polarization of light in a quasi-isotropic laser

G. Stephan, A. D. May, R. E. Mueller, and B. Aissaoui
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 4(8) 1276-1280 (1987)

Principles of an intracavity polarimeter for measuring small optical anisotropies with an application to diffractive dichroism

K. Ait-Ameur, G. Stéphan, P. Paddon, and A. D. May
Appl. Opt. 33(3) 334-343 (1994)