Delay differential equations for mode-locked semiconductor lasers.

We propose a new model for passive mode locking that is a set of ordinary delay differential equations. We assume a ring-cavity geometry and Lorentzian spectral filtering of the pulses but do not use small gain and loss and weak saturation approximations. By means of a continuation method, we study mode-locking solutions and their stability. We find that stable mode locking can exist even when the nonlasing state between pulses becomes unstable.

[1]  E. L. Portnoi,et al.  Monolithic and multi-gigahertz mode-locked semiconductor lasers: constructions, experiments, models and applications , 2000 .

[2]  Thomas Erneux.  Q-switching bifurcation in a laser with a saturable absorber , 1988 .

[3]  G. Samaey,et al.  DDE-BIFTOOL v. 2.00: a Matlab package for bifurcation analysis of delay differential equations , 2001 .

[4]  Kam Y. Lau,et al.  Parameter ranges for ultrahigh frequency mode locking of semiconductor lasers , 1991 .

[5]  G. New.  Pulse evolution in mode-locked quasi-continuous lasers , 1974 .

[6]  Hermann A. Haus,et al.  Shape of passively mode-locked laser pulses , 1975 .

[7]  Hermann A. Haus,et al.  Modelocking of Semiconductor Laser Diodes , 1981 .

[8]  H. Haus.  Mode-locking of lasers , 2000, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics.

[9]  A theoretical model of synchronization of a mode-locked semiconductor laser with an external pulse stream , 1995 .

[10]  H. Haus.  Theory of mode locking with a slow saturable absorber , 1975 .

[11]  Peter Vasil'ev,et al.  Ultrafast Diode Lasers: Fundamentals and Applications , 1995 .

[12]  P. Platzman,et al.  An optimized π/2 distributed feedback laser , 1985, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics.

[13]  Rüdiger Paschotta,et al.  Passive mode locking with slow saturable absorbers , 2001 .

[14]  P. V. Sytin.  Ultrafast diode lasers : fundamentals and applications , 1995 .

[15]  Hermann A. Haus,et al.  Stability of lasers mode locked by two saturable absorbers , 1993 .