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arXiv · 1301.0236

Mode Locking At and Below the CW Threshold

Shai Yefet·Avi Pe'er
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Abstract

We explore experimentally a new regime of operation for mode locking in a Ti:Sapphire laser with enhanced Kerr nonlinearity, where the threshold for pulsed operation is lowered below the threshold for continuous-wave (CW) operation. Even though a CW solution cannot exist in this regime, pulsed oscillation can be realized directly from zero CW oscillation. In this regime, the point of maximum strength of the Kerr nonlinear process provides a "sweet spot" for mode locking, which can be optimized to considerably lower the pump power threshold. The properties of the "sweet spot" are explained with a qualitative model.

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Shai Yefet, Avi Pe'er. 2013-01-02. Mode Locking At and Below the CW Threshold. https://arxiv.org/abs/1301.0236

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