Open AccessExperimental verification of soliton-like pulse-shaping mechanisms in passively mode-locked VECSELs
Author(s) -
Martin Hoffmann,
O. D. Sieber,
D. J. H. C. Maas,
Valentin J. Wittwer,
Matthias Golling,
Thomas Südmeyer,
U. Keller
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.010143
Subject(s) - optics , ultrashort pulse , mode locking , pulse (music) , dispersion (optics) , materials science , soliton , laser , self phase modulation , semiconductor laser theory , optoelectronics , physics , nonlinear system , nonlinear optics , quantum mechanics , detector
We present a detailed experimental study on the influence of dispersion on the pulse formation in passively modelocked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs). We have demonstrated that the shortest pulse duration requires slightly positive dispersion to balance the nonlinear phase shift induced by strong semiconductor gain and absorber saturation. This is in contrast to soliton modelocking in ion-doped solid-state lasers - but similarities remain and will be discussed. Our results are in good qualitative agreement with numerical simulations and confirm the quasi-soliton modelocking mechanism of ultrafast VECSELs.