Theoretical analysis of pulse development in a colliding pulse mode-locked dye laser

Abstract

The pulse development in colliding pulse mode-locked dye lasers is analysed theoretically. The chosen parameters belong to a c.w. argon laser pumped linear resonator arrangement with rhodamine 6G in ethylene glycol as gain medium and DODCI (3,3'-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide) in ethylene glycol as saturable absorber. The pulse shortening and pulse broadening effects in the laser oscillator are investigated. The steady-state pulse duration is determined by equal pulse broadening and pulse shortening within a single resonator round-trip. The detuning of the absorber jet out of the middle position of the resonator is considered. Multiple transits through the resonator are simulated to study the influence of various resonator and dye parameters on the pulse development and the background signal suppression. Fast relaxations within the and S 0 -state of DODCI are necessary for sufficient background suppression to obtain femtosecond pulse trains.