NOISE AT THE TURN-ON OF A CLASS-B LASER

We show through numerical simulations that different kinds of noise ha ve different signatures in the statistical distribution of the intensi ty peak height as a function of delay time in the turn-on of class-B l asers. Simulations are carried out specifically for a CO2 laser and ar e compared to the experimental results of H. Grassi et al. [Phys. Rev. A 50, 805 (1994)]. Full qualitative agreement is found with the exper iment. These results confirm that noise on the control parameter has a larger influence on the laser behavior than the intrinsic fluctuation s. A physical interpretation of the role that the different physical n oise sources play in the system is offered.