Physical Review A

Bistability in a four-level laser with a resonant pump mode

Timothy C. Ralph

Published Jun 1, 1994• 9 citations

Abstract

We investigate an optically pumped four-level laser in which both the laser and the pump form resonant cavity modes. We find that the system can exhibit absorptive bistability under conditions typical of solid-state lasers. Under conditions of high pump-cavity finesse, a bistability exists between below-threshold operation and maximum laser output.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.49.4979

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