Abstract

We predict a new phenomenon in the physics of lasers with an active-center polarization life-time exceeding a cavity lifetime. Namely, we find that for such lasers a self-mode-locking in a distributed-feedback Fabry-Perot cavity is possible without using any mode-locking technique (passive or active) if a mode superradiance takes place, at least, for one lasing mode or a miner subset of lasing modes. The phenomenon originates from the collective dynamics of active centers in a medium with a strong inhomogeneous broadening and requires high values of their spatial and spectral density as well as low quality factor of a laser cavity [1].

© 2015 IEEE