Mode selection in standing wave lasers by an induced gain grating

A novel method of overcoming spatial hole burning, in order to achieve narrow-band operation of a standing wave laser, is proposed. Frequency selection is obtained by the interaction between cavity modes and a grating induced in the active medium. A third-order Lamb theory analysis of the proposed system is made and the coefficients for net gain, self, and cross saturation obtained. These coefficients are used to examine the stability of the cavity modes. It is shown that, for the case of a transversely pumped dye laser, single-frequency selection should be possible using a suitable cavity arrangement.