Q switching by saturable absorption in microdroplets: elastic scattering and laser emission

Abstract

Laser-induced modification of cavity Q's has been achieved in a microdroplet containing a saturable absorber. The elastic-scattering spectra from such droplets for higher incident intensities show that cavity Q's are increased when the absorption is bleached. The lasing spectra from a droplet containing a saturable absorber and laser dye are modified when an intense bleaching field is injected into the droplet cavity after the pump field has initiated the lasing.