USE OF ZNS AS AN ADDITIONAL HIGHLY NONLINEAR INTRACAVITY SELF-FOCUSING ELEMENT IN A TI-SAPPHIRE SELF-MODE-LOCKED LASER

Experimentally is shown that the pump power threshold for self-modelocking and stability of a Ti: sapphire self-modelocked laser can be significantly improved by the use of a highly nonlinear intracavity element made of ZnS. Modelocking in the laser tested, which produced pulses with duration adjustable from 5 ps to 50 fs, was self-strating by Kerr lens mechanism alone. Because of the broad nonlinear response of ZnS, the method is wavelength insensitive.