A laser in which many resonant modes are coupled in phase, to yield a train of very short pulses (e.g. ps pulses). The coupling of the modes is obtained by modulation of the gain in the resonator, and can be active (electro-optic modulation of the losses or of the pump intensity), or passive (with a saturable absorber).
See also: free-running laser
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2254 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)