METASTABLE CHAOS IN THE AMMONIA RING LASER

We report experimental studies of metastable chaos in the far-infrared ammonia ring: laser. When the laser pump power is switched from above chaos threshold to slightly below, chaotic intensity pulsations conti nue for a varying time afterward before decaying to either periodic or cw emission. The behavior is in good qualitative agreement with that predicted by the Lorenz equations, previously used to describe this la ser. The statistical distribution of the duration of the chaotic trans ient is measured and shown to be in excellent agreement with the Loren z equations in showing a modified exponential distribution. We also gi ve a brief numerical analysis and graphical visualization of the Loren z equations in phase space illustrating the boundary between the metas table chaotic and the stable fixed point basins of attraction. This pr ovides an intuitive understanding of the metastable dynamics of the Lo renz equations and the experimental system.