A phenomenological gaussian noise source is introduced into the semi-classical field equation of a single-mode gas laser with a saturable absorber. The behaviour of the slowly varying amplitude is determined by studying the Fokker-Planck equation of the gaussian random process. The stationary intensity distribution shows two maxima caused by the bistability of the laser system. The noise source induced transitions between the two stable operating points. The approximate lifetimes of the states are evaluated, and are shown to be extremely long in the low noise situation.
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Rainer Salomaa (1974) studied this question.