title: Self-similar pulses in coherent linear amplifiers.
abstract: We discover and analytically describe self-similar pulses existing in homogeneously broadened amplifying linear media in a vicinity of an optical resonance. We demonstrate numerically that the discovered pulses serve as universal self-similar asymptotics of any near-resonant short pulses with sharp leading edges, propagating in coherent linear amplifiers. We show that broadening of any low-intensity seed pulse in the amplifier has a diffusive nature: Asymptotically the pulse width growth is governed by the simple diffusion law. We also compare the energy gain factors of short and long self-similar pulses supported by such media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3J 2X4, Canada.
authors.forename: Soodeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haghgoo
authors.forename: Sergey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ponomarenko