Extraction characteristics of a cw double-hexagonal Talbot cavity with stochastic propagation phase

We solve the coupled cw electric field differential equations for an hexago nal array of ber gain elements all sharing a common monolithic Talbot cavit y mirror. A threshold analysis shows that the lo est gains are nearly equal , within 10% of one another, and that one of these corresponds to an in-pha se supermode. Above threshold we study the extraction characteristics as a function of the Talbot cavity length, and we also determine the optimum out coupling reflectivity. These simulations show that the lasing mode is an in -phase solution. Lastly, we study extraction hen random linear propagation phases are present by using Monte Carlo techniques. This shows that the coh erence function decreases as exp(-sigma (2)), and that the near-field inten sity decreases faster as the rms phase sigma (2) increases. All of the abov e behaviors are strongly influenced by the hexagonal array rotational symme try. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.