Spontaneous transverse patterns in a microchip laser with a frequency-degenerate resonator

Abstract

We experimentally observe the formation of high-order transverse patterns in a microchip laser with a high degree of frequency degeneracy. With a doughnut pump profile the spontaneous transverse patterns are well localized in the Lissajous trajectories. The observed transverse patterns are reconstructed with a high degree of accuracy by use of the coherent state of quantum theory. The accurate reconstruction suggests that laser resonators can be designed to obtain a more thorough understanding of the quantum-classical connection. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.