Single-mode laser intracavity coupling modulation

An analysis of intracavity coupling modulation is presented including the effects of laser gain, dispersion, and modulator position. We interpret the system as an active Fabry-Perot resonator containing a polarization modulator, and arrive at explicit expressions for the frequency response of coupled-out radiation. In addition to the expected distortions at cavity resonances, sideband amplitude enhancement was found for low modulation frequencies. Comparison of the theory with CO
2
laser experiments shows excellent agreement.