Pulse-width stabilization of a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser

Abstract
Using an analog feedback loop acting on the mode‐locker frequency of a synchronously pumped mode‐locked dye laser, we have observed a substantial decrease of pulse‐width variations at frequencies up to 10 kHz at the cost of an increase in higher‐frequency noise. A digital loop acting on the cavity length decreased noise at low frequencies. Using these methods, we have generated reproducible and stabilized frequency‐tunable subpicosecond pulses, and have determined the effects of noise in the mode‐locking frequency of the pumping Ar+ laser and drift in the cavity length of the dye laser.