Self-Similar Evolution of Parabolic Pulses in a Laser

Abstract

Self-similar propagation of ultrashort, parabolic pulses in a laser resonator is observed theoretically and experimentally. This constitutes a new type of pulse-shaping in modelocked lasers: in contrast to the well-known static (soliton-like) and breathing (dispersion-managed soliton) pulse evolutions, asymptotic solutions to the nonlinear wave equation that governs pulse propagation in most of the laser cavity are observed. Stable self-similar pulses exist with energies much greater than can be tolerated in soliton-like pulse shaping, and this will have implications for practical lasers.