  We experimentally study the relaxation oscillations and amplitude stability
properties of an optical laser operating deep into the bad-cavity regime using
a laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb Raman laser. By combining measurements of the laser
light field with nondemolition measurements of the atomic populations, we infer
the response of the gain medium represented by a collective atomic Bloch
vector. The results are qualitatively explained with a simple model.
Measurements and theory are extended to include the effect of intermediate
repumping states on the closed-loop stability of the oscillator and the role of
cavity feedback on stabilizing or enhancing relaxation oscillations. This
experimental study of the stability of an optical laser operating deep into the
bad-cavity regime will guide future development of superradiant lasers with
ultranarrow linewidths.
