Noise of mode-locked lasers

Abstract

A theory of noise in mode-locked lasers is developed that applies to additive pulse mode-locked and Kerr lens mode-locked systems. Equations of motion are derived for pulse energy, carrier linewidth, frequency pulling, and timing jitter. The effect of gain fluctuations, mirror vibrations, and index fluctuations are determined. Measurements that can determine all four fluctuation spectra are described. Experimental data in the literature are compared with theory.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>