Mode locking of an ion laser by means of a dissector

The position of the light pulses on the period of the modulating function has been measured as a function of the discharge current, the resonator length, and other parameters for an argon laser with active mode locking. These measurements were carried out for various emission lines in the visible and UV regions. At a minimum pulse length, and at a pump level well above the threshold for lasing, the losses in the mode locker are high. The reasons for the difficulties encountered in attempts to achieve simultaneous mode locking of the 488.0- and 514.5-nm lines are pointed out. The evolution of the pulse shape (from the point of appearance to the point of disappearance) as the basic laser parameters are varied has been studied. The pulses are at their shortest when there is a satellite, rather than under single-pulse conditions. The experimental data are consistent with a model of supermodes.