Tailoring the spectrum and spatial mode of Yb-doped random fiber laser

In this paper, we make a comprehensive study on tailoring the spectrum and transverse mode of random fiber lasers (RFLs). By simply temperature tuning, the mode gain profile of RFL can be flexibly and precisely manipulated. The spectrum of laser output can be easily tailored in single-wavelength, dual-wavelength, and three-wavelength, respectively. Meanwhile, the operating transverse mode is also optional among LP₀₁ mode, LP₁₁ mode, and hybrid mode. The slope efficiency of 17.9% and 27.3% are obtained for LP₁₁ mode and LP₀₁ mode operation, respectively. Besides, the coherence control can be confirmed by making speckle contrast measurements. This high-efficiency RFL with the customizable spectrum and spatial mode would have unique applications in wavelength or mode division multiplexing systems, speckle-free imaging, secure communication, and information encryption.