Noise-like pulses generated from a passively mode-locked fiber laser with a WS₂ saturable absorber on microfiber

Abstract

We report on a noise-like pulse (NLP) generation in a mode-locked erbium-doped all-fiber laser using a WS2-deposited microfiber saturable absorber (SA). The prepared WS2 SA can serve as an excellent mode-locked and highly nonlinear device in the all-fiber laser cavity. At proper pump power and polarization states, typical NLPs can be generated. Adjusting the polarization also yields special NLPs with second-order harmonic mode-locking. For typical NLPs, 37 mW maximum output power and 8.8 nJ pulse energy are achieved at 334 mW pump power. The microfiber-based WS2 component could be a potential device for exploring nonlinear dynamics, such as NLPs.

2D Layered Materials: Synthesis, Nonlinear Optical Properties, and Device Applications

“…Since 2010, versatile soliton pulses, including conventional soliton, dark solitons, dissipative soliton, and even rogue waves, have been observed in mode‐locked fiber lasers based on layered materials such as graphene, topological insulators, TMDCs, and BP . For example, the researchers studied the dynamic of soliton pulses in graphene mode‐locked fiber lasers and obtained the disordered multiple solitons and bound solitons at low pump strength and soliton flow at higher pump strength, as shown in Figure a–d.…”

Recent progress on applications of 2D material-decorated microfiber photonic devices in pulse shaping and all-optical signal processing

“…By employing 2D material-decorated microfiber SAs, noiselike pulses are generated in mode-locked fiber lasers in both the 1.55 and 2.0 μm wave bands [175,181,192,204,221]. For example, a special noise-like pulse with Kelly sidebands and second-order HML was demonstrated in a fiber laser with a microfiber-based WS 2 SA [221]. These results could further enhance the understanding of nonlinear dynamics of noise-like pulses.…”

“…Moreover, due to the anomalous dispersion provided by an SMF in the 1.5 μm wavelength band, Er-doped fiber lasers can directly emit shorter pulses compared to dissipative solitons with the large chirp in Yb-doped fiber lasers [214,215]. In fact, 2D material-decorated microfiber SAs have been widely used in Er-doped fiber lasers to generate ultrashort pulses [66,102,122,[216][217][218][219][220][221][222][223][224]. The interaction between graphene and the evanescent light field is capable of passive mode-locking in an Er-doped fiber laser, which was first proposed by Song et al [225].…”

“…Since the pulse energy of noise-like pulses is higher than the pulse energy output by traditional soliton and stretch pulse fiber lasers, they have potential applications in many fields, such as the generation of supercontinuum and sensing [258,259]. By employing 2D material-decorated microfiber SAs, noiselike pulses are generated in mode-locked fiber lasers in both the 1.55 and 2.0 μm wave bands [175,181,192,204,221]. For example, a special noise-like pulse with Kelly sidebands and second-order HML was demonstrated in a fiber laser with a microfiber-based WS 2 SA [221].…”

Noise‐like pulse generation with tungsten trioxide/polydimethylsiloxane‐clad microfiber saturable absorber

“…[14][15][16][17] It is also worth to note that NLP mode-locking can be realized by using SAs such as graphene, 18 carbon nanotube 8 and tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ). 19 Recently, the use of tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ) has been demonstrated as an alternative saturation absorption material due to its great influence toward optical nonlinearity, thus making it attractive for ultrafast laser generation. [20][21][22][23] Taking this advantage, there is still a possible room for improvement by exploring the potential functionality of WO 3 -based SA in different dynamics of laser cavity configuration.…”