Non-linear properties of strongly pumped lasers

Abstract

Bloch equations for the atomic population and the polarization/coherence and the equation of motion for the photon number in a laser are solved in steady state as a function of the pump rate. Two level atom and two modes of three levels atom are investigated. Close to threshold the usual linear dependence of the intensity on the pump rate in found for all cases. However, far above threshold strongly nonlinear dependence is encountered. In the cases for which the pump connects the lower lasing state to one of the excited states the character of the non-linearity differs crucially from the cases when the pump in not related directly to the lower lasing state. Non-monotonic dependence of laser intensity upon the pump rate is predicted. Detailed discussion of the nonlinear behavior is presented, including saturation and depletion effects.