PULSED SINGLE-MODE LASER OSCILLATION IN A NEW COUPLED-CAVITY DESIGN

A novel coupled cavity for stable, single mode operation of pulsed las ers is reported. The coupled cavity consists of a multi-arm gazing inc idence cavity (GIC) configured to form a Fox-Smith interferometer. The coupling improves mode selection without loss in efficiency. Single m ode operation with a bandwidth of < 200 MHz was readily observed, comp ared with the conventional GIC which operated on 5 modes under identic al conditions. A model has been developed that predicts the mode spaci ng of the coupled cavity and allows the cavity parameters to be optimi sed for single mode operation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.