abstract

• The operation of a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) with polarization-dependent transmission was analyzed to perform high-quality ultrashort optical pulses in a figure-eight fiber laser configuration. The design of the NOLM is based on a symmetrical coupler, a loop of highly twisted low-birefringence fiber and a quarter-wave retarder (QWR) to provide polarization asymmetry. Pedestal-free optical pulses were obtained by careful adjustment of the NOLM low-power transmission, which is easily realized in our setup by rotation of the QWR. The laser is capable of operating in both the conventional soliton and the noise-like pulse regimes. Optical pulses as short as 1.39 ps were observed at the fundamental repetition frequency of 0.8 MHz. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by the elimination of low-intensity radiation at the laser output. © 2017 Astro Ltd.

authors

• Bello Jiménez Miguel Ángel
• Durán-Sánchez M.
• Garcia Ramirez M.A.
• Hernández-Escobar E.
• Ibarra-Escamilla B.
• Kuzin E.A.
• López Estopier Rosa Elvia
• Pottiez O.

publication date

• 2017-01-01

published in

• Laser Physics  Journal

keywords

• fiber lasers; figure-of-eight; passive mode locking Fiber lasers; Fibers; Laser mode locking; Nonlinear optics; Passive mode locking; Polarization; Semiconductor quantum wires; figure-of-eight; Laser configuration; Low birefringence; Low power transmissions; Nonlinear optical loop mirror; Polarization asymmetry; Repetition frequency; Ultrashort optical pulse; Laser mirrors

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1088/1555-6611/aa771d

start page

end page

volume

• 27

issue

• 7