Cavity-configuration-dependent nonlinear dynamics in Kerr-lens mode-locked lasers

Abstract

We determined theoretically that the nonlinear dynamics of a Gaussian beam is configuration dependent in a general cavity. This prediction was confirmed by numerical simulation in a Kerr-lens mode-locked cavity for which the self-focusing effect is considered the nonlinear source in both the spatial and the temporal domains. Period doubling, tripling, and quadrupling can occur in these configurations with the products of generalized cavity G parameters equal to 1/2, 1/4 (or 3/4), and (2 +/- root 2)/4, respectively. The dynamic behavior of the cavity beam will become irregular if the nonlinear effect is further increased. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America [S0740-3224(00)00708-6] OCIS codes: 140.3410, 140.4050, 260.5950, 140.1540.