title: Transition dynamics for multi-pulsing in mode-locked lasers.
abstract: We consider experimentally and theoretically a refined parameter space in a laser system near the transition to multi-pulse modelocking. Near the transition, the onset of instability is initiated by a Hopf (periodic) bifurcation. As the cavity energy is increased, the band of unstable, oscillatory modes generates a chaotic behavior between single- and multi-pulse operation. Both theory and experiment are in good qualitative agreement and they suggest that the phenomenon is of a universal nature in mode-locked lasers at the onset of multi-pulsing from N to N +1 pulses per round trip. This is the first theoretical and experimental characterization of the transition behavior, made possible by a highly refined tuning of the gain pump level.
authors.affiliation: Photonics Research Group, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. b.bale@aston.ac.uk
authors.forename: Brandon G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Bale
authors.forename: Khanh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kieu
authors.forename: J Nathan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kutz
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wise
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*