Noise of mode-locked lasers (Part I): numerical model

A numerical model for the calculation of noise spectra of actively or passively mode-locked lasers has been developed. Fluctuations not only of the timing error, but also of all other quantities of interest can be quantified. The model is based on a pulse propagation algorithm with quantum noise sources. It allows the study of a much wider class of phenomena than those accessible with analytical techniques, and it is useful for testing the validity limits of analytical results.