Nonlinear dynamics in thin-slice Nd:YAG ceramic lasers: Coupled local-mode laser model

Abstract

The authors propose a coupled spatially distributed local-mode laser model for understanding self-induced high-speed modulations in Nd:YAG ceramic lasers with laser-diode end pumping, which critically depend on pump positions. In addition to complicated high-speed modulations, quasiperiodic and chaotic relaxation oscillations have been demonstrated experimentally and reproduced by numerical simulation of the model of coupled local-mode lasers. Q-switching-like periodic spiking pulsations have been also observed and reproduced numerically by assuming saturable absorber type of inclusions in grain boundaries.