Influence of the Crystal Temperature and Intracavity Losses on the Soliton Regime of a Femtosecond Cr:Forsterite Laser

Femtosecond pulse generation modes in a Cr:forsterite laser cavity have been studied, taking into account intracavity losses caused by changes in the crystal temperature, which affect the central wavelength of the generated pulse. A numerical model has been developed taking into account the key features of Cr:forsterite lasers. Good agreement between the simulated and experimental spectra has confirmed the validity of the model. The spectral positions of the first- and second-order Kelly sidebands facilitate the accurate determination of the cavity dispersion at phase-matching points and confirm the soliton generation regime. Analysis of the gain and losses of the cavity elements has shown that the increase in the generated pulse energy with decreasing crystal temperature is caused by both an increase in the laser level lifetime and an increase in the gain cross section due to a change in the central wavelength of the generated pulse.