Abstract

We measured the self-starting threshold of passive Kerr-lens mode-locking dye lasers and Ti:sapphire lasers by varying the concentration of the intracavity dilute-dye saturable absorbers that start the mode locking. From the threshold absorber concentration, we determined the strength of the intracavity pulse-broadening effects that counteract the pulse-shortening mechanisms in the self-starting stage. Experimental results agree well with theories based on phase diffusion and mode pulling.

© 1994 Optical Society of America

Self-starting Kerr-lens mode locking of a Ti:sapphire laser

G. Cerullo, S. De Silvestri, and V. Magni
Opt. Lett. 19(14) 1040-1042 (1994)

Characteristics of a femtosecond transform-limited Kerr-lens mode-locked dye laser

Yuh-Fwu Chou, Chau-Hwang Lee, and Jyhpyng Wang
Opt. Lett. 19(13) 975-977 (1994)

Self-starting, self-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser

Ming Lai
Opt. Lett. 19(10) 722-724 (1994)

Self-starting issues of passive self-focusing mode locking

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Opt. Lett. 16(21) 1689-1691 (1991)

Completely self-starting picosecond and femtosecond Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser

J.-M. Shieh, F. Ganikhanov, K.-H. Lin, W.-F. Hsieh, and Ci-Ling Pan
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 12(5) 945-949 (1995)