Abstract

The salient underlying physical principles of the self-mode-locking technique will be reviewed. In particular, the various methods by which this self-mode-locking process can be initiated and the primary roles of self-phase modulation and self-focussing will be described within the context of frequency-tunable femtosecond pulses from solid-state laser systems. Although the sub-100-fs performance characteristics of the broadly tunable Ti-sapphire and Cr:LiSAF lasers will be especially highlighted, the more general applicability and potential of this mode-locking method will be discussed. Some related considerations will also be included for laser configurations where the exploitable optical nonlinearities are produced in a passive intracavity medium as distinct from the gain medium itself. Because of the relatively high peak pulse powers directly available from the present generation of self-mode-locked laser oscillators their compatibility with efficient nonlinear up / down frequency- conversion arrangements will be outlined.

© 1992 Optical Society of America