Chaos in a multimode solid-state laser system

When a nonlinear crystal is placed within a multimode solid-state laser cavity, deterministic fluctuations are induced in the output intensity. In this paper, the results of our studies of the intensity noise in a diode pumped, intracavity frequency doubled Nd:YAG (neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser will be presented. First, a novel technique to eliminate these fluctuations is described. Second, the observation of antiphase states in the laser output is discussed. These states are characterized by a cyclic periodic pulsing of the individual longitudinal mode intensities. Finally, the statistical properties of chaotic intensity fluctuations are characterized. It is be demonstrated that it is possible to accurately model the laser dynamics by a system of globally coupled, nonlinear oscillators.