Analysis of a nonfeedback technique for transient steering in class-B lasers - art. no. 033801

We present experimental results that show how the height of the turn-on pea k of a class-B laser can be controlled by an appropriate modulation of the shape of the turn-on pulse. At the same time, the turn-on delay is reduced and continues to decrease even after a minimum peak height has been reached and starts to grow again. A physical interpretation is offered on the basi s of an approximate analysis of turn-on in a class-B laser, and of numerica l simulations, which very clearly illustrate the mechanisms that play a cru cial role in the laser transient.