GENERATION OF SOLITON PACKETS IN A 2-LEVEL LASER

A variant of perturbation theory is constructed for a system of nearly integrable equations. Perturbations of a special type are considered, which makes it possible to represent the system in the form of compat ibility condition for ''deformed'' linear systems. The corresponding d eformation of the Whitham equations is found. The mathematical apparat us is used to theoretically examine the generation of a sequence of so litons in a two-level laser. The generation process is described by a system of Maxwell-Bloch equations with pumping of the upper level and with allowance for some relaxation effects. The dynamics of the transf ormation of the initial perturbation into a sequence of solitons under pumping is studied. Finally, the various generation regimes are analy zed and compared with the experimental data. (C) 1997 American Institu te of Physics. [S1063-7761(97)02312-3].