Dynamics of soliton explosions in passively mode-locked fiber lasers

Abstract

A soliton explosion is an instability whereby a dissipative soliton undergoes a sudden structural collapse, but remarkably returns back to its original shape after a short transient. We recently reported the first experimental observation of this effect in a fiber laser (A. F. J. Runge et al., Optica 2, 36 (2015)). Here, we expand on our initial work, presenting a more detailed experimental and numerical study of the characteristics and dynamics of soliton explosions in passively mode-locked fiber lasers. Specifically, we explore different cavity configurations and gain levels, observing and characterizing explosion events using spectral and temporal real-time single-shot techniques. Our results highlight that the explosion characteristics observed in experiments depend critically on the position in the cavity where the output coupler is located. Furthermore, we find that the frequency at which explosions occur can be controlled by adjusting the pump power. We also identify a new kind of ``partial'' explosion, where strong spectral interference fringes appear on the pulse spectra, but a full collapse is avoided. Finally, we perform numerical simulations based on a realistic iterative cavity map, and obtain results that are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Careful analysis of the simulation results provide strong credence to the interpretation that soliton explosions can be linked to a multi-pulsing instability

A new kind of chaotic diffusion: anti-persistent random walks of explosive dissipative solitons

“…They can also appear in reaction-diffusion systems of multiple species if strong cross-diffusion is present [7]. More interestingly, explosions of solitons have been observed in several experiments of propagation of strong light pulses: in Ti:sapphire mode-locked lasers [8] and in double-clad ytterbium-doped fibers [9][10][11][12][13].…”

Dynamical diversity of pulsating solitons in a fiber laser

“…The DFT technique opens up the way of experimentally investigating the transient dynamics of solitons in lasers. Indeed, it has been employed to observe complex ultrafast nonlinear phenomena, including soliton explosion [15][16][17][18][19], build-up and transient dynamics of solitons [20][21][22][23][24][25], pulsating solitons [26][27][28], as well as internal dynamics and build-up of soliton molecules [29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

Real-Time Intensity Domain Characterization of Fibre Lasers Using Spatio-Temporal Dynamics

“…Such dynamics can manifest themselves in the form of soliton rains [2,3] and molecules [4], soliton explosions [5][6][7], optical turbulence [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] and rogue waves [16][17][18][19][20][21]. An understanding of such dynamic regimes is of interest from both an academic and experimental perspective, as one would like to ensure stable operation and avoid excursions between operational regimes.…”