Abstract

Considerable work has been reported on the theory and experimental implementation of passive mode-locking.¹ The leading edge of a mode-locked pulse is shaped by the rapid reduction of the loss due to the saturation of the absorption of the saturable absorber. Two mechanisms for shaping the trailing edge of the mode-locked pulse are in general use. For gain media which saturate easily, such as organic dyes, this is accomplished by the saturation of the gain which follows the peak of the pulse. The theory of mode-locking with a saturable absorber and an easily saturating gain medium has been presented^2-5 and experimental results have shown that very short pulses can be produced when such a system is used.^6,7

© 1984 Optical Society of America