A NUMERICAL-MODEL OF KERR-LENS MODE-LOCKING

We have developed a numerical model of Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM) th at includes astigmatism, non-linear coupling and gain-guiding. Under t he current approximations of the model, gain-guiding decreases the val ue of the hard-aperture mode-locking parameter delta = (1/w)(dw/dp)\p = 0. The model also allows one to study the effect of elliptical astig matic pump beams, typically encountered in diode pumped laser systems, as the position of the pump beam waist is moved within the gain mediu m. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.