A colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) laser achieves sub-picosecond operation by synchronizing two counter-propagating pulse trains to form a standing wave in a thin absorber jet. When properly aligned, these lasers maintain mode-locking for more than 100 seconds (1010 pulses), but eventually cease mode-locking for short periods of time. This thesis examines the characteristics of these transient events, when CPM mode-locking ceases (dropout) and when it resumes (dropin). The dropout is an apparently rapid event, typically lasting no longer than 5 microseconds or less than 500 pulses. The dropin takes significantly longer time, often has structure, and has a clear power dependency. This thesis uses a variety of statistical methods to search for changes in the nonlinear dynamics prior to the apparent power output change of a dropout, but does not find consistent precursors. Moreover, this thesis uses a fluence mapping method to study ultrashort pulse generation process in a novel bistable medium model. The bistable medium model naturally incorporates various high order perturbations and provides a framework for dynamics study and pulse shape control in ultrafast lasers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:wm.edu/oai:scholarworks.wm.edu:etd-3241 |
| Date | 01 January 2004 |
| Creators | Yang, Wei |
| Publisher | W&M ScholarWorks |
| Source Sets | William and Mary |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects |
| Rights | © The Author |
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