Synchronised dual-wavelength mode-locking in waveguide lasers

Abstract

We present a novel approach to study continuous-wave mode-locking in a waveguide laser in the presence of a gain profile with complex features. We introduce a new simulation approach where we separate the role of gain, nonlinearity, dispersion and saturable absorption elements to provide a better understanding of the interplay between these elements. In particular, we use the simulation to explain synchronised dual-wavelength mode-locking. The results show that despite the existence of dispersion which tends to form separate pulse trains in the laser cavity, the saturable absorber plays a critical role in keeping the different wavelength components synchronised. This work, for the first time, provides insight into existing experimental results. It also demonstrates new methods for studying lasers, especially mode-locking laser, with short laser cavities.

1/1.5 μm Synchronized Dual-Band Mode-Locked Fiber Laser

“…In recent years, there is a growing interest in the so-called dual-band mode-locked fiber lasers in which the optical pulses are generated in two distinct spectral bands simultaneously. Unlike conventional dual-wavelength lasers [2]- [5] which operate at two adjacent wavelengths (i.e., the two lasing wavelengths are within the identical spectral band), dual-band lasers generate radiations at two wavelengths locating far apart (e.g., 1/1.5 μm, 1.5/2 μm, etc.). Such lasers exhibit unique advantages in the applications where radiations from different spectral bands are required simultaneously.…”

Multiple mode-locked regimes of an Er/Yb double-clad fiber laser based on NPR

“…Passively ML (PML) fiber lasers can operate in single-, dual- [7][8][9] or even multi-wavelength [10] emission. When ML single-or dual-wavelength laser emission is achieved, the laser system can target more complex applications worth of study.…”

Tunable synchronized dual-wavelength pulsed operation in an Er/Yb double-clad fiber laser

“…Many efforts have been realized to achieve multi-wavelength laser emission through the use of Lyot filters [11], Sagnac loop filters [12], fiber Bragg gratings [13], and Fabry-Perot filters [14,15]. In those approaches, saturable absorption action is performed by different mechanisms such as nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) [16][17][18], nonlinear optical loop mirror and nonlinear amplification loop mirror [19], as well as a variety of new saturable absorber devices [20][21][22][23][24][25]. Nowadays, ultrashort laser pulses at different wavelengths produced by rare-earthdoped fiber lasers are still a matter of ongoing research for a wide variety of applications [9,[26][27][28].…”