Enhanced generation of optical rogue waves through higher-order saturable absorption in noise-like pulse fiber lasers

We investigate the self-generation of optical rogue waves from a noise-like pulse (NLP) fiber laser using the nonlinear polarization evolution mechanism as a virtual saturable absorber. We demonstrate a significant enhancement of the rate of rogue wave generation when a higher-order saturable absorption nonlinearity is selected. Numerical simulations and theoretical analysis corroborate and elucidate the experimental observations, showing that a higher probability for the optical rogue wave generation is achieved by combining overdriven saturated absorption with NLP generation.