We present a comparison of compact three-element Ti:Al₂O₃ laser resonator designs for enhanced Kerr-lens mode locking. We demonstrate a novel compact cavity design that uses an intracavity lens and show that nonastigmatic modes can significantly increase Kerr-lens action and achieve self-starting mode locking. A new mechanism for group-velocity dispersion that arises from the chromatic aberration of the intracavity focusing elements is also demonstrated.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

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