Stimulated emission efficiency of bleaching-wave lasers

Analytic expressions are derived for the optimal density of dye molecules in a solution for a bleaching-wave laser and for the optimal exit mirror transmission required to maximize the stimulated emission efficiency using monochromatic and nonmonochromatic pumping. These expressions are used as the basis to estimate the efficiency and specific lasing energy of a bleaching-wave laser utilizing an ether solution of coumarin 6 and 1,4-diphenylbutadiene.