Abstract

We put forward a new scheme for improving the output power stability of a laser. The basic idea is to replace one of the laser mirrors with an optical bistable element. The cases of operation with absorptive, dispersive, and hybrid elements are investigated. The conditions for operating the lasers working at the steady state are drawn up. Computer simulations on the stabilization effect of the laser cavity for the output power of lasers are shown, and static stabilities of the lasers for three cases are calculated. As an output power stabilized laser, the lasers using absorptive and dispersive bistable elements have potential uses in optics communications and integrated optics. Because the nonlinear medium is not used in the hybrid bistable element, this method is useful for stabilizing the high output power lasers, such as Nd:YAG, CO₂, and Ar⁺ lasers.

© 1991 Optical Society of America