RESONANCE POLARIZATION PHENOMENA IN BROAD-BAND LASERS WITH ANISOTROPIC ABSORBING GAS MEDIA

This paper provides a review of theoretical and experimental investiga tions of resonance polarization phenomena in broadband lasers with ani sotropic absorbing gas media. We describe numerous linear- and nonline ar-optical polarization effects that arise in gas media with one- and two-photon resonance atomic (molecular) transitions in the absence and in the presence of the external magnetic (electric) field, The main s pecific features of polarization resonances in spectral and energy cha racteristics of broadband lasers are considered. We perform a comprehe nsive analysis of manifestations of the Faraday effect in gas media wi th low and high optical densities. Furthermore, we investigate a two-p hoton analog of the Faraday effect and study light-induced resonances of the polarization of radiation near the frequencies of one- and two- photon absorption of the medium. We discuss the problems and the prosp ects of developing intracavity methods of studying anisotropic absorbi ng media and controlling characteristics of laser radiation.