Pulse-train uniformity in optical fiber lasers passively mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation
The generation of uniform soliton pulse trains by additive pulse mode locking has been experimentally demonstrated in a birefringent fiber laser with a passive polarizer. Numerical simulations of pulse propagation around such a fiber loop are presented which reveal that this mode-locking scheme does not result in strictly uniform pulse trains. Rather, the train of output pulses exhibits periodic fluctuations in intensity and polarization. A model for the pulse dynamics is developed which shows that these fluctuations depend on the strength of the fiber birefringence and the alignment of the polarizer with the fast-and slow-polarization axes of the fiber. It is also shown that increased uniformity of pulse trains is achieved with near alignment of the polarizer with the slow axis of the birefringence.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; A.P. Sloan Foundation
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-88ER25053
- OSTI ID:
- 20030424
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Vol. 36, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Apr 2000; ISSN 0018-9197
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Theoretical study of the erbium-doped fiber laser passively mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation
Self-starting, passively mode-locked Fabry-Perot fiber soliton laser using nonlinear polarization evolution