Stable coherent mode-locking based on $$\pi$$ π pulse formation in single-section lasers

Abstract Here we consider coherent mode-locking (CML) regimes in single-section cavity lasers, taking place for pulse durations less than atomic population and phase relaxation times, which arise due to coherent Rabi oscillations of the atomic inversion. Typically, CML is introduced for lasers with...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rostislav Arkhipov, Anton Pakhomov, Mikhail Arkhipov, Ihar Babushkin, Nikolay Rosanov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80775-3
Description
Summary:Abstract Here we consider coherent mode-locking (CML) regimes in single-section cavity lasers, taking place for pulse durations less than atomic population and phase relaxation times, which arise due to coherent Rabi oscillations of the atomic inversion. Typically, CML is introduced for lasers with two sections, the gain and absorber ones. Here we show that, for certain combination of the cavity length and relaxation parameters, a very stable CML in a laser, containing only gain section, may arise. The mode-locking is unconditionally self-starting and appears due to balance of intra-pulse de-excitation and slow interpulse-scale pump-induced relaxation processes. We also discuss the scaling of the system to shorter pulse durations, showing a possibility of mode-locking for few-cycle pulses.
ISSN:2045-2322