Periodic self-wave structures in a wide-aperture laser with frequency detuning. I. Bifurcation analysis

A theoretical investigation is reported of the stability of a homogeneous transverse distribution of lasing in a wide-aperture Fabry — Perot cavity. It is shown that when the detuning of the lasing frequency from the centre of the gain line of the active medium is negative, the conditions may be favourable for the Andronov — Hopf bifurcation. This leads to the appearance of periodic transverse wave structures. The main parameters of these waves (velocity, period, amplitude, growth increment) are found. It is also shown that a transition of a periodic wave pattern into a chaotic one is possible with increase in the wave amplitude.