Open AccessMode suppression of 53 dB and pulse repetition rates of 287 and 364 GHz in a compact, mode-locked fiber laser comprising coupled Fabry-Perot cavities of low finesse (F = 2)
Author(s) -
Haoliang Cheng,
Yi Zhou,
Andrey E. Mironov,
W. Wang,
Tian Qiao,
Wei Lin,
Qi Qian,
Shanhui Xu,
Zhongmin Yang,
J. G. Eden
Publication year - 2017
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.25.024400
Subject(s) - optics , finesse , fabry–pérot interferometer , laser , fiber laser , free spectral range , pulse (music) , pulse duration , resonator , physics , mode locking , materials science , detector
Multiplication of the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of a compact, mode-locked fiber laser by a factor as large as 25 has been achieved with two coupled Fabry-Perot (FP) resonators of low finesse (F = 2). Reducing the FP finesse by at least two orders of magnitude, relative to previous pulse frequency multiplication architectures, has the effect of stabilizing the oscillator with respect to pulse-to-pulse amplitude, dropped pulses, and other effects of cavity detuning. Coupling two Fabry-Perot cavities, each encompassing a 3.3-3.6 cm length of fiber, in a hybrid geometry resembling that of the coupled-cavity laser interferometer has yielded side mode suppressions ≥ 50 dB while simultaneously doubling the laser PRF to 2.87 GHz. Pulses approximately 3.9 ps in duration (FWHM) are emitted at intervals of 27.5 ps, and in groups (bursts) of pulses separated by 350 ps. Thus, the PRF within the pulse bursts is 36 GHz, a factor of 25 greater than the free spectral range for a conventional mode-locked cavity having a length of 6.9 cm. Experimental data are in accord with simulations of the phase coherence and temporal behavior of the mode-locked pulses.