Abstract
Mode-locking schemes that produce the shortest pulses are all of the "passive" variety. The optical pulse provides its own mode-locking modulation. The short pulses produced by Colliding Pulse Mode-Locked (CPM) dye lasers utilize the gain media and loss media that relax on a time scale much longer than the mode-locked pulse. The mode-locking is made stable by the combined action of the absorber, whose loss is reduced by the pulse, and subsequent saturation of the gain medium, whose gain is reduced subsequently. Such operation can be achieved only with carefully balanced absorber and gain characteristics.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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