%0 Journal Article
%T Steady-state Ab Initio Laser Theory: Generalizations and Analytic Results
%A Li Ge
%A Y. D. Chong
%A A. Douglas Stone
%J Physics
%D 2010
%I arXiv
%R 10.1103/PhysRevA.82.063824
%X We improve the steady-state ab initio laser theory (SALT) of Tureci et al. by expressing its fundamental self-consistent equation in a basis set of threshold constant flux states that contains the exact threshold lasing mode. For cavities with non-uniform index and/or non-uniform gain, the new basis set allows the steady-state lasing properties to be computed with much greater efficiency. This formulation of the SALT can be solved in the single-pole approximation, which gives the intensities and thresholds, including the effects of nonlinear hole-burning interactions to all orders, with negligible computational effort. The approximation yields a number of analytic predictions, including a "gain-clamping" transition at which strong modal interactions suppress all higher modes. We show that the single-pole approximation agrees well with exact SALT calculations, particularly for high-Q cavities. Within this range of validity, it provides an extraordinarily efficient technique for modeling realistic and complex lasers.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1008.0628v2