Toward an all-optically stabilized frequency comb based on a mode-locked fiber laser

Area of Science:

• Fiber lasers
• Optical frequency combs
• Nonlinear optics

Background:

• Mode-locked fiber lasers are crucial for generating optical frequency combs.
• Stabilizing both carrier envelope offset (CEO) frequency and repetition frequency is essential for precise frequency comb generation.
• All-optical control methods offer potential for compact and robust laser systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an all-fiber, all-optically controlled frequency comb.
• To investigate dual control mechanisms for stabilizing both CEO and repetition frequencies.
• To validate the complementary nature of controlling gain fiber pump power for CEO stabilization.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing an erbium-doped mode-locked fiber laser.
• Implementing optical pumping of a separate ytterbium-doped fiber module for repetition frequency stabilization.
• Modulating the pump power of the erbium-doped gain fiber for complementary CEO-frequency control.

Main Results:

• Successful stabilization of the laser's repetition frequency via optical pumping.
• Demonstrated complementary control of the CEO-frequency by adjusting the gain fiber's pump power.
• Validated the feasibility of all-optical dual stabilization in an all-fiber setup.

Conclusions:

• An all-fiber, all-optically controlled frequency comb is achievable.
• Dual optical control mechanisms provide effective stabilization of both CEO and repetition frequencies.
• This approach offers a promising route towards compact and integrated frequency comb systems.