Abstract
A theoretical treatment is given of the dynamical and steady-state behavior of an anisotropic laser. The model is based on a homogeneously broadened, pumped J=1/2 <---> J=1/2 atomic transition, and is solved to all orders of the electric field, in contrast to previous studies of anisotropic lasers. A survey of the system behavior is presented, and complementary analytic descriptions developed to describe the small- and large-field evolutions are given. The small-field polarization behavior is shown to be oscillatory ir! general, and dominated by the properties of the cavity. The large-held description allows the polarization stability of the final output states to be analyzed, and shows that stable steady states in this regime must be linearly polarized along either one or the other of the two anisotropy axes. The possible range of cavity lengths which allows bistable output between these two polarizations is characterized analytically, and a regime identified where the polarization undergoes sustained oscillation.