Simple method to start and maintain self-mode-locking of a Ti:sapphire laser

By periodically moving one of the end mirrors of a Ti:sapphire laser using a shaker, we have been able to start and maintain self-mode-locking of the laser. The resulting laser is stable over a long period with low-amplitude noise (3.3%) and low random timing jitter (4.8 ps). In addition, there is a deterministic timing variation on the order of subnanoseconds, caused by the moving mirror, which can be reduced by employing a feedback system. Pulses as short as 43 fs have been obtained.