Compact resonator designs for mode-locked solid-state lasers

A theoretical model describing Kerr-lens mode locking in compact resonators is presented. Analytic solutions of the model equation are evaluated to examine the dependence of self-mode-locking action on the resonator parameters. A new mechanism that introduces intracavity group velocity dispersion through chromatic dispersion is analysed and demonstrated. We show theoretically and verify experimentally that simple three-element resonators not only simplify the laser geometry but also result in stable, self-starting mode locking at a repetition rate of 1 GHz and pulse duration of 105 fs.