Wavelength switching dynamics in injected fiber ring lasers

Abstract

We experimentally and theoretically investigate the wavelength switching dynamics of an injection-seeded Er doped fiber ring laser. The fiber ring laser is seeded by an external cavity laser diode that is amplitude modulated with a long period 50% duty cycle wave form so that the return to steady state can be investigated. It is found that the laser suffers from severe large-amplitude relaxation oscillations and slow decay times that limit the available wavelength switching speed.