Abstract

The spectrum-angular instability of laser radiation in a resonant medium is well known.^1,2 In particular, cone radiation red shifted with respect to the laser frequency was observed in a number of experiments at high-frequency laser detunings Δ = ω₀ − ω_L < 0, where ω_L is the laser frequency and ω₀ is the atomic transition frequency. It has been theoretically shown³ and confirmed experimentally⁴ that this instability takes place for positive and negative values of Δ.

© 1995 Optical Society of America