Saturation effects in coupled lasers with homogeneous gain.

The effects of saturation on the performance of two weakly coupled lasers with homogeneous gain are evaluated. Analytic steady-state results are obtained for cases where the intensity is the same in each laser. Output power is at a maximum when both lasers have the same mirror separation and a distance between them that corresponds to an integral number of wavelengths. If these conditions are changed, the result is reduced stability in addition to lower output power. A previous model, which employed third-order saturation, underpredicts the increase in output power with an increase in saturation but is qualitatively correct with regard to regimes for stable operation.