Open AccessBuildup dynamics in an all-polarization-maintaining Yb-doped fiber laser mode-locked by nonlinear polarization evolution
Author(s) -
Henan Zhao,
Gai-Ming Ma,
Xiang-Yue Li,
TiJian Li,
ChiChang Hu,
Meng Li,
Aiping Luo,
ZhiChao Luo,
WenCheng Xu
Publication year - 2020
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.399946
Subject(s) - fiber laser , ultrashort pulse , soliton , polarization (electrochemistry) , laser , physics , optics , dissipative soliton , nonlinear system , quantum mechanics , chemistry
Soliton buildup dynamics in ultrafast fiber lasers are one of the most significant topics in both the fundamental and industrial fields. In this work, by using the dispersive Fourier transformation technique, the real-time spectral evolution of soliton buildup dynamics were investigated in the all-polarization-maintaining Yb-doped fiber laser, which is mode-locked by nonlinear polarization evolution technique through the cross splicing method. It was experimentally confirmed that the same stable soliton state could be achieved through different soliton starting processes because of the initial random noises. In one case, the maximum pulse energy during the soliton starting process could reach ∼15 times the stable pulse energy, which results in the spectral chaotic state and temporal shift. We also provide another soliton buildup case with the same cavity parameters, which illustrates more moderate evolution. It involves smaller energy variation and no complex transition state. These results would deepen our understanding of soliton buildup dynamics and be beneficial for the applications of ultrafast fiber lasers.