Experimental Measurements of Transitions to Pulsations and Chaos in a Single Mode, Unidirectional Ring Laser with an Inhomogeneously-Broadened Medium

摘要: We review a series of measurements we have made on single-mode laser designed and constructed to optimally match the unidirectional ring-laser configuration popularly assumed in theoretical studies. The active medium is up xenon atoms excited gas discharge mixture with helium. 3.51 μm transition provides exceedingly high gain inhomogeneously broadened at typical working pressures, providing optimum situation for studying from stable CW operation emission periodic chaotic pulsations as degree excitation increased. Careful both output intensity electric field spectrum provide clear picture many details development that been overlooked heretofore. presence deterministic behavior confirmed by quantitative studies strange attractor underlies this form dynamical evolution system. These results are placed context reviewing other forms low-frequency which occur multimode lasers.