Intensity coherence of a multimode Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser

Abstract

We measure the power spectral densities, at relaxation oscillation frequencies, of the individual longitudinal modes and the total intensity of a Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser at low pumping rate. We then test relationships between these quantities that are derived from the modal rate equations theory. The theoretical relations for the two mode case are confirmed by the experiment. However, in the three-mode regime, theory and experiments do not agree well.