40-nm-wide tunable fiber ring laser with single-mode operation using a highly stretchable FBG

Abstract

We demonstrate a 750-Hz linewidth single-mode erbium-doped fiber (EDF) ring laser with wide tunability using a widely tunable fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The stable single-mode operation is realized by using the FBG as a narrow wavelength-selective element and 4 m of unpumped EDF as a saturable absorber in the cavity. The 40-nm continuous tuning range of 1522-1562 nm is achieved using a highly stretchable FBG that exhibits a filter tuning range of over 52 nm. The grating is prepared with chemically stripped deuterium-loaded fiber to eliminate degrading factors for the grating strength, thereby achieving the wide tunability. The tuning range represents a 3.5-fold increase in wavelength tuning over previous use of FBGs.