Experimental investigation of mode self-locking and stabilization of the repetition frequency of pulses emitted by an He–Ne laser with an absorption cell

An experimental investigation was made of mode self-locking in an He–Ne/Ne laser. A study was made of the process of a change from random fluctuations of the mode phases to partial and then full mode self-locking. The dependences of the frequency of intermode beats on the discharge current in an absorption cell and in an amplifying tube, and also on the distance between the mirrors under the mode self-locking conditions, were determined. An investigation was made of stabilization of the repetition frequency of He–Ne/Ne laser pulses in the presence of oscillations of a very stable external oscillator. A brief analysis was made of the possiblity of using mode-locked lasers in frequency, time, and length standards.