Abstract

A modal approach to solving gain-guided arrays is presented. It is demonstrated how transverse mode competition causes one mode to rob power from another, with a steady-state in which either two modes exist simultaneously, or in which one mode is entirely suppressed by the other. Interference effects have not been included; mode-beating within a single high-gain element, but no chaotic instabilities result from this calculation. It is found that the quantitative results are sensitive to the number of modes which are included, and in some cases modes with initially small gain become important under conditions of strong stimulated emission.

© 1991 Optical Society of America