1.05-microm mode-locked Ytterbium fiber laser stabilized with the pulse train from a 1.54-microm laser diode

Using cross-phase modulation in an optical fiber, we synchronized the pulse train from a mode-locked ytterbium fiber laser operating at 1.05 microm to an external optical master signal. The optical master source based on a 1.54 microm distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser was driven by the clock signal and was used as a seed source. The amplified seed pulses are launched into the fiber cavity and synchronize the mode-locked pulses through cross-phase modulation. The master clock signal is electronically generated, benefiting from inherent stability and repeatability. Due to its simplicity, this technique provides an attractive alternative to the traditional scheme that uses an independent mode-locked laser as source of seed signal. Since the approach is flexible and generally applicable, we expect this stabilization method to have a good potential for use in metrology and optical communications.