Effect of host dispersion on mode-locked lasers

Abstract

Analytic expressions for the frequency sweep (chirp) and pulse width are given for externally-locked lasers with host dispersion. The expressions have been obtained using a self-consistent circulating pulse method. For both phase and amplitude modulation, the pulse is broadened by the host dispersion. However, only phase modulation can give the large frequency sweeps which allow the pulse to be compressed outside the laser. This result helps one to understand some conflicting observations on chirping in the Nd:glass laser. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.