title: Theory of passive mode locking of solid-state lasers using metal nanocomposites as slow saturable absorbers.
abstract: Mode locking of solid-state lasers using metal nanocomposites as slow saturable absorbers (SAs) is studied theoretically. The derived equation for the transient nonlinear response of metal nanocomposites is based on the semiclassical two-temperature model. The model is confirmed experimentally by pump-probe measurements on Au nanoparticles (NPs). The theory was applied to study passive mode locking of a solid-state laser containing Au NPs as SA in the green spectral range. Pulse durations as short as 100 fs are predicted, and design criteria of metal NP SAs are derived.
authors.affiliation: Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Kwang-Hyon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Griebner
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herrmann