title: Self-starting condition for additive-pulse mode-locked lasers.
abstract: We analyze self-starting in additive-pulse mode-locked lasers and find that dynamic gain saturation can play a determining role. A simple condition for self-starting is presented for comparison with experiments on different laser systems.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Ippen
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Haus