Loop resonators with self-pumped phase-conjugate mirrors in solid-state saturable amplifiers

摘要

Loop resonators with self-pumped phase conjugate mirrors (SPPCM's) based on a four-wave mixing (FWEVI) interaction in solid-state saturable amplifiers are investigated in the short-pulse regime. A model using a transient treatment of FWM with the appropriate boundary conditions imposed by the loop geometry allows us to analyze the threshold condition for oscillation, the temporal dynamics, including self-Q switching, and the energy characteristics of such loop resonators. The influence of the gains of the saturable amplifiers and the influence of the transmission factors around the loop are also analyzed. A loop resonator with a SPPCM in a Nd:YAG amplifier is experimentally investigated at lambda = 1.064 mu m in the nanosecond regime. A maximum reflectivity of 42 and a maximum extraction of 47 mJ, corresponding to a 20% extraction efficiency, are measured. Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.