Abstract

The objective of this presentation is to discuss a simple model of laser in which the atoms can undergo diffusive motion and to characterize the main dynamic effects associated with this often ignored feature of theoretical models. For this purpose we reconsider a laser cavity with flat mirrors¹ and special geometry that allows diffraction along only one of the transverse directions to the resonator axis. As already found in an earlier model, here we also show that low threshold instabilities can lead to a departure from the homogeneous stationary state, to the creation of complex spatial patterns, and to cooperative frequency locking, a state of operation in which several transverse modes can oscillate synchronously. There are significant differences, however, in the shape of the domains of instability and in details of the laser dynamics following the destabilization of the homogeneous state. In addition, for selected parameter values the operation of the laser may actually become more stable in the presence of atomic diffusion.

© 1989 Optical Society of America