Route from single-pulse to multi-pulse states in a mid-infrared soliton fiber laser

Huang J, Pang M, Jiang X, He W, Russell PSJ (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Optics Express Optical Society of America

Book Volume: 27

Pages Range: 26392-26404

Journal Issue: 19

DOI: 10.1364/OE.27.026392

Abstract

State-of-the-art ultrafast mid-IR fiber lasers deliver optical solitons with durations of several hundred femtoseconds. The Er- or Ho-doped fluoride gain fibers generally used in these lasers have strong anomalous dispersion at ∼3 µm, which generally forces them to operate in the soliton regime. Here we report that a pulse-energy clamping effect, caused by the buildup of intracavity nonlinearities, limits the shortest obtainable pulse durations in these mid-infrared soliton fiber lasers. Excessive intra-cavity energy results in soliton instability, collapse and fragmentation into a variety of stable multi-pulse states, including phase-locked soliton molecules and harmonically mode-locked states. We report that the spectral evolution of the mid-IR laser pulses can be recorded between roundtrips through stretching their second-harmonic signal in a 25-km-length of single-mode fiber. Using a modified dispersive Fourier transform set-up, we were able to perform for the first time spectro-temporal measurements of mid-IR laser pulses both in the pulsed state and during pulse collapse and fragmentation. The results provide insight into the complex nonlinear dynamics of mid-IR soliton fiber lasers and open up new opportunities for obtaining a variety of stable multi-pulse mode-locked states at mid-IR wavelengths.

Authors with CRIS profile

Philip St. John Russell Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik (Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Professur)

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Huang, J., Pang, M., Jiang, X., He, W., & Russell, P.S.J. (2019). Route from single-pulse to multi-pulse states in a mid-infrared soliton fiber laser. Optics Express, 27(19), 26392-26404. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.026392

MLA:

Huang, J., et al. "Route from single-pulse to multi-pulse states in a mid-infrared soliton fiber laser." Optics Express 27.19 (2019): 26392-26404.

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