Formation of regions of efficient compression of ultrashort pulses in a passive switch

A system of partial differential rate equations for a population inversion in a medium and for the intensity of radiation propagating this medium is used in a numerical analysis of a single trip of a Gaussian pulse through a two-level two-component saturable absorber. Relationships governing the formation of regions of efficient compression of ultrashort pulses are identified and the possibility of controlling the maximum degree of reduction of pulse duration is considered. Two-component absorbers selected with the proposed recommendations can ensure the maximum efficiency of pulse compression in a trip when the input intensity is fixed and the input durations can vary within a wide range. The last circumstance makes such absorbers very promising as passive switches for solid-state lasers with passive mode locking and stabilization of the intensity of ultrashort pulses in order to minimize the duration of the output radiation.