Polarization properties of internal mirror He-Ne lasers in a strong transverse magnetic field

The polarization behaviour of an internal mirror He-Ne laser at 6328 Å in a strong transverse magnetic field is shown to be severely affected by the presence of a small phase anisotropy in the laser cavity. Experimental observations of the polarization properties of small, general purpose lasers are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of a simple model, which starts from the assumption that the laser mirrors are slightly birefringent.