Threshold characteristics of multimode laser oscillators

The oscillation characteristics of a multimode laser are considered in detail, and for the first time saturation by all of the cavity modes is included. Analytical expressions are obtained for the mode amplitudes, linewidths, and over-all spectral characteristics of lasers operating above and below threshold. It is found that with increasing excitation the spontaneous emission spectrum is gradually resolved into a set of narrow discrete modes. Slightly above threshold the number of modes reduces in a homogeneoulsy broadened laser until only a single mode is oscillating strongly. The theoretical results are in agreement with experimental data that have been reported using semiconductor lasers. With inhomogeneous broadening the spectral width goes through a minimum near threshold