Abstract

Under some conditions, spontaneous coherent pulsations are known to occur in the output beams of inhomogeneously broadened laser oscillators. These lasers typically operate with a Gaussian transverse field distribution, while the corresponding theoretical models assume a uniform-plane-wave field. The effects of a Gaussian field on the stability criteria of single-mode inhomogeneously broadened ring laser oscillators are considered in this study. It is found that in comparison to a plane wave a Gaussian field variation still permits low-threshold spontaneous pulsations but reduces the parameter space over which these pulsations can be observed.

© 2009 Optical Society of America