Dichroism and birefringence in aperiodic coupled cavities and their influence on the polarization states of quasi-isotropic lasers

We show that aperiodic coupled cavities may be designed to have a frequency-dependent complex reflectance that is anisotropic in phase (birefringent) and in amplitude (dichroic). The complex mean or average reflectivity may also be frequency dependent. As an illustration we show how such multicavity effects influence the stability of the polarization of light in quasi-isotropic lasers. Possible applications of the properties of aperiodic coupled cavities are suggested.