Design guidelines for ultrashort pulse generation by a Mamyshev regenerator

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Fiber Lasers
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Mamyshev regenerators offer a potential low-cost, all-fiber solution for generating ultrashort optical pulses.
• Gain-switched diode lasers are commonly used as seed sources, but their pulse durations can vary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically explore the feasibility of using various gain-switched seed laser pulse parameters and fibers in a Mamyshev regenerator.
• To identify optimal system parameters for achieving efficient picosecond pulse generation.
• To investigate the interplay between Kerr effect and stimulated Raman scattering in fiber-based pulse compression.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of pulse propagation in optical fibers.
• Analysis of spectral broadening as a function of pulse duration and fiber parameters.
• Investigation of the influence of input peak power on pulse regeneration.
• Experimental validation using a gain-switched diode laser seed source.

Main Results:

• Achieving sufficient spectral broadening becomes challenging with increasing pulse durations.
• A critical input peak power level exists for optimal regeneration, balancing nonlinear effects.
• Experimental demonstration of 3 ps pulse generation from an 80 ps seed pulse was successful.

Conclusions:

• Careful system design is essential for the successful operation of all-fiber Mamyshev regenerators.
• Pulse duration and fiber choice significantly impact spectral broadening capabilities.
• The findings enable the development of on-demand picosecond fiber sources for diverse applications.