Self-induced transparency mode locking, and area theorem.

Self-induced transparency mode locking (or coherent mode locking, CML), which is based on intracavity self-induced transparency soliton dynamics, potentially allows achievement of nearly single-cycle intracavity pulse durations, much below the phase relaxation time T in a laser which, despite having great promise, has not yet been realized experimentally. We develop a diagram technique which allows us to predict the main features of CML regimes in a generic two-section laser far from the single-cycle limit. We show that CML can arise directly at the first laser threshold if the phase relaxation time is large enough. Furthermore, we discuss the stability of the corresponding mapping. We also predict the existence of "super-CML regimes," with a pulse coupled to several Rabi oscillations in the nonlinear medium.