Influence of argon laser parameters on mode-locking conditions

An experimental study was made of active mode-locking in an argon laser and the mode-locking range was calculated. The time dependences and the spectral characteristics of the radiation emitted by a multimode laser were investigated as a function of the detuning of the modulation frequency from the intermode beat frequency and also as a function of the rate of pumping of the active medium. The influence of the active medium gain on the width of the mode-locking region and on the shift of the optimal mode-locking frequency was studied. Multipulse operation was investigated.