Multiwavelength comb generation in self‐starting passively mode‐locked fiber laser

Multiwavelength comb generation in an all‐fiber self‐starting passively mode‐locked figure‐eight erbium‐doped fiber laser is experimentally demonstrated. The nonlinear optical‐loop mirror (NOLM) consisting of a symmetrical optical coupler and a length of single‐mode fiber can act as the mode‐locking element through nonlinear polarization rotation. The linear ring with a section of polarization‐maintenance fiber and a polarization‐dependent isolator can implement linear filtering. Such a self‐starting passively mode‐locked erbium‐doped fiber laser can generate pulses with multiwavelength comb, which is characteristic of all‐fiber and simple configuration. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 1356–1358, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21659