Noise-like pulse generation and amplification from soliton pulses

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Fiber lasers
• Ultrafast photonics

Background:

• Soliton pulse evolution is crucial for ultrafast laser systems.
• Generating noise-like pulses typically requires complex intracavity configurations.
• External pulse manipulation offers alternative pathways for laser output control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the external generation of noise-like pulses (NLPs) from soliton pulses at 1.9 µm.
• To investigate the role of nonlinear fiber length in NLP properties.
• To achieve power scaling of externally generated NLPs.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a nonlinear fiber placed externally to a laser oscillator.
• Inducing soliton collapse mechanisms to form NLPs.
• Employing a thulium-doped fiber amplifier for power scaling.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated NLPs with a sub-300 fs spike and sub-40 ps pedestal duration.
• Demonstrated NLP property variation based on nonlinear fiber length.
• Achieved power scaling up to 5.19 W average power (244 nJ pulse energy).

Conclusions:

• External generation of NLPs is feasible and offers control over pulse characteristics.
• This method provides an alternative to intracavity techniques for generating synchronized solitons and NLPs.
• The approach enables efficient power scaling of high-quality NLPs at 1.9 µm.