POLARIZATION DYNAMICS OF A J=1 2[--]J=1/2 ANISOTROPIC LASER/

A theoretical treatment is given of the dynamical and steady-state beh avior of an anisotropic laser. The model is based on a homogeneously b roadened, pumped J=1/2 <----> J=1/2 atomic transition, and is solved t o all orders of the electric field, in contrast to previous studies of anisotropic lasers. A survey of the system behavior is presented, and complementary analytic descriptions developed to describe the small- and large-field evolutions are given. The small-field polarization beh avior is shown to be oscillatory ir! general, and dominated by the pro perties of the cavity. The large-held description allows the polarizat ion stability of the final output states to be analyzed, and shows tha t stable steady states in this regime must be linearly polarized along either one or the other of the two anisotropy axes. The possible rang e of cavity lengths which allows bistable output between these two pol arizations is characterized analytically, and a regime identified wher e the polarization undergoes sustained oscillation.