Abstract

Discontinuities in the output of a 2-µm Tm,Ho:YAG microchip laser have been observed as the power of the pump was first increased and then decreased. Measurements of the transmitted and reflected pump showed corresponding discontinuities at the same incident powers. These effects are attributed to a thermally induced optical bistability associated with the Fabry-Perot resonator of the laser. Formulas derived on that assumption give good agreement with the experimental data.

© 1995 Optical Society of America