Abstract

We have used experiments and calculations to explore the dynamics of two nonlinearly coupled modelocked lasers. A special feature of this study is the presence of two distinct adjustable nonlinear mechanisms, where one mechanism causes an attraction of the pulses in the two separate lasers and the other causes a repulsion of the pulses. We find that adjustment of the relative importance of these attractive and repulsive mechanisms, as well as of the relative cavity length, provides a rich variety of dynamical behavior that is not available in alternative laser systems.

© 1992 Optical Society of America