Pulse dynamics manipulation by the phase bias in a nonlinear fiber amplifying loop mirror

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Laser physics
• Fiber optics

Background:

• High-quality pulse generation in ultra-short pulse fiber lasers is crucial for various applications.
• Intracavity pulse propagation dynamics significantly influence pulse characteristics like duration, energy, chirp, tunability, and noise.
• Controlling these dynamics is essential for tailoring laser output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pulse dynamics in a mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser.
• To demonstrate a simple method for controlling different soliton regimes within the laser cavity.
• To enable tailoring of ultra-short laser characteristics for diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser.
• Employed an intracavity phase bias device to manipulate pulse propagation.
• Observed and analyzed the switching between different soliton operational regimes.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated the ability to switch between conventional soliton, stretched-pulse soliton, and dissipative soliton regimes.
• Showcased that manipulating the intracavity phase bias is sufficient to control these regime transitions.
• Confirmed the dependence of pulse quality characteristics on intracavity pulse dynamics.

Conclusions:

• A nonlinear amplifying loop mirror mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser can operate in multiple soliton regimes.
• Intracavity phase bias is a simple yet effective parameter for controlling soliton dynamics.
• This approach offers a versatile method for tailoring ultra-short laser pulse characteristics for specific applications.