Multidimensional coupling owing to optical nonlinearities .2. Results

We compare three computational techniques developed in the preceding paper [J. Opt. Sec. Am. 13, 553 (1996)] that account for the effects of nonlinear coupling on light propagating through nonlinear, dispersive media. We demonstrate that all three techniques give reasonable accuracy under conditions typical of a self-mode-locked laser. We further show that these techniques are greatly superior to techniques that neglect nonlinear coupling in that they give results that are more accurate and, in some cases, qualitatively different. We demonstrate such a qualitative difference by using the example of a self-mode-locked (Kerr-lens mode-locked) Ti:sapphire laser that has only one cavity solution when nonlinear coupling is included yet two cavity solutions when nonlinear coupling is neglected. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America