Large‐amplitude solutions of the rate equations for the ruby laser have been obtained corresponding to the initial low value of photon density. The damping rate for these oscillations increases with optical pump rate in contrast to the decrease found experimentally by Walsh and Kemeny.Variation of the damping rate with loss rate is also examined; the damping rate becomes the same order as that of the usual flash lamp (∼103sec−1) for a loss rate corresponding to a rod.