Abstract

Because mode locking of a synchronously pumped dye laser is operated by modulating the gain, if we want to understand clearly the characteristics of the laser system, we must start from the gain medium and study the relationship of the gain medium and the operating characteristics of the laser system in optimum output conditions. As far as we know, a satisfactory discussion about this important problem for the synchronously pumped dye laser has not been given. Nor has the operating range for the gain at optimum output been obtained. This is because the circumstances of the laser system at threshold have not been studied in detail; thus the output criteria for the synchronously pumped dye laser cannot be given. The importance of this work has been realized,^1–3 and some special values for determined parameters have been calculated by computer, but the expression for the gain range cannot be given. Only some special values can be evaluated.

© 1988 Optical Society of America