Physics Commons^™

Boundary Effects In Large-Aspect-Ratio Lasers, G.K. Harkness, W.J. Firth, John B. Geddes, J.V Moloney, E.M. Wright

John B. Geddes

We study theoretically the effect of transverse boundary conditions on the traveling waves foundin infinitely extended and positively detuned laser systems. We find that for large-aspect-ratiosystems, well above threshold and away from the boundaries, the traveling waves persist. Sourceand sink defects are observed on the boundaries, and in very-large-aspect-ratio systems these defectscan also exist away from the boundaries. The transverse size of the sink defect, relative to the sizeof the transverse domain, is important in determining the final pattern observed, and so, close tothreshold, standing waves are always observed.