Abstract
The light of a quasi-isotropic, single-mode gas laser is linearly polarized for a line . However, the azimuth of polarization can vary inside the line. Among the many different effects which cause these variations, we describe the role played by the detector optical feedback. We show experimentally that its amplitude and phase can be varied in a controlled manner in order to obtain abrupt switches between two perpendicular polarization states. Polarization bistability and hysteresis effects can then be commanded and studied from the outside of the laser.
- Received 23 May 1985
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.55.703
©1985 American Physical Society