Dual-mode-locking mechanism for an akinetic dispersive ring cavity swept source

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Laser Technology
• Optical Engineering
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• High-speed optical swept sources are crucial for advanced measurement techniques.
• Existing swept sources often face limitations in sweep rate and stability.
• The 1550-nm wavelength band is critical for optical communications and sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel, fast dual-mode-locked akinetic optical swept source.
• To achieve high sweep rates exceeding previous benchmarks.
• To demonstrate robust polarization control and assess dynamic linewidth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a ring laser configuration with a wideband semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and dispersion compensation fiber.
• Implemented a voltage-controlled oscillator to drive the SOA at high frequencies.
• Employed a Faraday rotating mirror for polarization control.
• Introduced a dual-mode locking mechanism involving resonant frequency driving and detuned RF signal sweeping.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum sweep rate of 797 KHz in the 1550-nm wavelength band.
• Demonstrated effective polarization control using a Faraday rotating mirror.
• Assessed a dynamic linewidth of 0.8 nm via Mach-Zehnder interferometer measurements.

Conclusions:

• The presented dual-mode-locked akinetic optical swept source offers a significant advancement in sweep speed.
• The implemented locking mechanisms ensure stable and high-performance laser operation.
• This technology holds potential for high-speed optical sensing and metrology applications.