SCATTERING MATRIX ANALYSIS OF A TRIANGULAR RING LASER

A method of analysis for ring waveguide lasers is presented. This method is based on the use of the scattering matrix formulation to represent the waveguide junctions. An extension of previous work is made so that any number of junctions may be serially connected. The method is then applied to a three-junction triangular ring laser and various operating characteristics are calculated, in particular the longitudinal mode spacing and the power ratio of the counterpropagating waves of the laser. It is found that this ratio is much more sensitive to a difference in forward coupling than to backward coupling, but that a difference in either will enhance unidirectional operation of the device. Comparison to experimental data is made where possible.