Fractal modes in unstable resonators

Karman, GP; Mcdonald, GS; New, GHC; Woerdman, JP

Abstract

One of the simplest optical systems, consisting of two mirrors facing each other to form a resonator, turns out to have a surprising property. Here we show that the peculiar eigenmodes of unstable resonators are fractals, a finding that may lead to a better understanding of phenomena such as chaotic scattering and pattern formation. Our discovery may have practical application to lasers based on unstable resonators

Citation

Karman, G., Mcdonald, G., New, G., & Woerdman, J. (1999). Fractal modes in unstable resonators. Nature, 402, 138. https://doi.org/10.1038/45960

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 11, 1999
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2011
• Journal: Nature
• Print ISSN: 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 402
• Pages: 138
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/45960
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1038/45960
• Related Public URLs: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v402/n6758/abs/402138a0.html