Abstract
Femtosecond pulse generation with a nonlinear external resonator was achieved with the soliton laser of Mollenauer and Stolen.1 Recently, experimental2,3 work has indicated that soliton formation is not necessary and that laser pulse shortening can be achieved even with positive dispersion in the external cavity. Here we present new experiments and a simple theory that reveal how pulse shortening and improved mode locking occur in such systems. Our theory shows how the relative cavity lengths must be adjusted for optimum pulse shortening and that dispersion is not required for the pulse shortening process. Experimental results obtained in nonsoliton conditions support predictions of the theory.
© 1989 Optical Society of America
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