Abstract

Mode-locked lasers generally operate on a single spatial mode since multimode operation leads to a pulse train that is modulated in amplitude. In this paper we show that for an appropriate choice of mirror curvatures and cavity lengths, multiple spatial modes can be mode-locked with a stable pulse train. We believe that the beating between the spatial modes, when accompanied by a nonlinearity in the laser cavity, leads to self mode-locking.

© 1991 Optical Society of America