Sub-50  fs, µJ-level pulses from a Mamyshev oscillator-amplifier system

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Mamyshev oscillators are crucial for generating ultrashort optical pulses.
• Achieving high output power and energy from fiber amplifiers presents significant challenges.
• Controlling nonlinear effects like gain-narrowing and self-phase modulation is key for pulse quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a Mamyshev oscillator with enhanced output power and pulse energy.
• To demonstrate a fiber amplification technique for high-energy ultrashort pulses.
• To investigate the interplay between gain-narrowing and self-phase modulation in fiber amplifiers.

Main Methods:

• Direct amplification of a Mamyshev oscillator output in a fiber section.
• Balancing gain-narrowing and self-phase modulation during amplification.
• Utilizing nonlinear spectral broadening and subsequent compression.

Main Results:

• Achieved an average output power of 11 W from the fiber amplifier.
• Obtained a pulse energy exceeding 1 µJ.
• Demonstrated pulse compression to durations below 50 femtoseconds.

Conclusions:

• The developed Mamyshev oscillator and fiber amplification system offers a robust route to high-energy, ultrashort pulses.
• Balancing nonlinear effects is critical for achieving high power and preserving pulse quality in fiber amplifiers.
• The system is suitable for applications requiring high-intensity, femtosecond laser pulses.