Multilongitudinal mode emission in ring cavity class B lasers

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in multilongitudinal-mode emission in ring cavity class B lasers, focusing on the mechanisms behind self-mode locking and the applicability of the Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken instability.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of multilongitudinal-mode emission phenomena in class B lasers, including experimental observations and theoretical models, especially regarding the instability mechanisms.

Findings

Experimental observations of self-mode locking in erbium-doped fiber lasers.

Theoretical insights into the Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken instability.

Analysis of the effects of cavity losses and media broadening on mode emission.

Abstract

In this article we review recent theoretical and experimental developments on multilongitudinal-mode emission in ring cavity lasers, paying special attention to class B lasers. We consider both homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened amplifying media as well as the limits of small and large cavity losses (i.e., we treat cases within and outside the uniform field limit approximation). In particular we discuss up to what extent the experimental observations of self-mode locking in erbium-doped fiber lasers carried out in recent years are a manifestation of the Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken instability.