Abstract

Multi-mode lasers have evaded satisfactory modelling for their seeming complexity. However, they may serve as sensitive detectors of intracavity spectral absorption. This sensitivity is limited by nonlinear coupling of the laser modes [1] effected by stimulated light scattering of Brillouin (SBS) or thermal Rayleigh (STRS) type, or via periodic saturation ("population pulsations", PP), in the gain medium. We have measured the sensitivity of a cw dye laser and found it linearly increase with the laser's cavity length and Q value and decrease with the square root of the light power.

© 1996 IEEE