Abstract

Self-pumped phase conjugators based on a nonlinear medium in an intersecting loop geometry have attracted considerable attention and study in recent years. Most extensive studies have been based on photorefractive media¹ and stimulated Bril- louin scattering media.² Less extensively investigated has been the use of gain saturation in a laser amplifier as the nonlinear loop medium.³ The self-conjugating gain loop mirror has the promising characteristics of high (much greater than unity) reflectivity, self-matching of the nonlinearity to the laser wavelength and control of optical aberration in high-power laser amplifiers including those within the loop con- jugator itself.

© 1994 Optical Society of America