Abstract
A single-mode CO2 laser containing an intracavity saturable absorber shows optical bistability and periodic instability [passive Q-switching (PQS)].1,2 Although a large number of theoretical investigations have been performed on laser instability, bistability, and chaos, there is no appropriate model that comprehensively describes various features of PQS and bistability in a gas laser system. We propose an original model and clarify the individual conditions for these two phenomena in a CO2 laser, In our model, the gain medium is represented by three vibrational levels, while the absorbing medium is represented by two vibration- rotation levels. The most important part of this model is an introduction of the fast vibrational relaxation from the lower laser level, which is essential in production of the complicated structure of a PQS pulse.
© 1987 Optical Society of America
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