Abstract

An equation of motion for the density matrix of the field of an inhomogeneously broadened single-mode laser containing a saturable absorber is derived. Using the photon number representation this equation is solved in the steady state. High-intensity photon number distributions are obtained for the on-resonance operation of the laser. Off-resonance operation is also considered. Curves are presented to illustrate the behavior, and the results are compared with earlier investigations.

© 1987 Optical Society of America