Modes - physical meaning and use

[rucha.ad]

Modes is usually encountered in physics when we study wave propagation of any sort. Every frequency has n number of modes depending on boundary conditions - I know that much but, find it difficult to relate to so many concepts in which modes get mentioned and they baffle me at times. I want to make a list of such terms related to modes in deeper physics research areas and try to find out what they mean. To start with,
1.Vector mode functions (in context to boundary conditions)
2.Mode locking in lasers
3.Multimode laser

 

[jedishrfu]

Welcome to PF!

Maybe this will help, a discussion on normal modes for waves:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mode