Abstract

The electromagnetic field polarization effects have not been considered in most studies of laser dynamics. This is due to the use of polarization devices which introduce strong losses in one of the transversal directions to the light propagation direction. In the opposite limit, i.e., isotropic cavity, some authors have studied the dynamic behaviour of the Zeeman laser. Nevertheless, the first study of polarization instabilities taking into account matter dynamics is due to Puccioni et al [1], who shew the existence of a second instability, besides the Lorenz instability, affecting the field polarization. Recently, a more elaborated model has been obtained by Abraham el al [2], finding a better agreement with the experimental results.

© 1996 IEEE