Abstract

The static properties of lasers have a long history; in particular, the study of optimal output coupling was the subject of intensive research in the early stages of laser physics.¹ However, none of the developed models deals with the influence of the active-medium length. This is due to the fact that, in general, the length of the amplifying medium cannot be varied substantially. Consequently, the distributed losses are small when tjeu are integrated over the laser length, and they are often incorporated into the parameter associated with the input-mirror transmission. With the appearance of fiber lasers, the length of the active medium could be changed easily. Lasers up to few hundred meters have been realized.² Under these conditions, distributed losses and together inhomogeneous pumping have to be taken into account. This paper presents an extended formulation of the Rigrod's theory³ adapted to fiber lasers.

© 1995 Optical Society of America