Quantum noise in a laser with nonorthogonal polarization modes

We describe the quantum-noise behavior of a laser that has nonorthogonal polarization modes. The nonorthogonality of the modes leads to excess quantum noise. Theoretically, we derive the excess noise dynamics of the laser, including the saturation of the gain medium. Experimentally, we have measured the noise dynamics in the polarization, intensity and phase degrees of freedom of a 3.51-mm HeXe laser and we obtain good agreement with theory. When the modes are made nonorthogonal we observe: ~i! excess intensity and phase noise, ~ii! spectral coloring of the excess intensity noise and ~iii! correlations between the polarization-angle noise and the intensity noise. The excess phase noise is found to be partly suppressed by the polarizationanisotropic part of the saturation of the gain medium.