Dissipative vector solitons in a dispersionmanaged cavity fiber laser with net positive cavity dispersion

H Zhang,D Y Tang,L M Zhao,H Y Tam,X Wu

doi:10.1364/oe.17.000455

H Zhang, D Y Tang + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.17.000455

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Journal: Optics Express	Publication Date: Jan 6, 2009
Citations: 150	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Nanyang Technological University

Abstract

We report on the experimental observation of gain-guided vector solitons (GGVSs) in a dispersion-managed fiber laser mode-locked with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). Both the frequency-locked and phase-locked GGVS were observed. In addition, formation of multiple GGVSs and GGVS harmonic mode-locking were also experimentally revealed. Numerical simulations confirmed the GGVS formation in the fiber lasers.

Highlights

Formation of dissipative solitons in pure normal-dispersion-cavity fiber lasers passively mode locked by the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique was reported [1,2]
Received 4 Nov 2008; revised 2 Dec 2008; accepted 21 Dec 2008; published 6 Jan 2009 19 January 2009 / Vol 17, No 2 / OPTICS EXPRESS 455 that the dissipative solitons formed in the large net positive cavity group velocity dispersion (GVD) regime have very different characteristics from those formed in the net negative cavity GVD fiber lasers, and the differences can be traced back to the different soliton shaping mechanisms in the two cavity dispersion regimes
Different from the NPR mode locking, mode-locking with a semiconductor saturable absorption mirror (SESAM) requires no polarizer in the laser cavity, which potentially allows the formation of a dissipative vector solitons (DVSs) in the laser cavity

Summary

Introduction

Formation of dissipative solitons in pure normal-dispersion-cavity fiber lasers passively mode locked by the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique was reported [1,2]. The NPR mode-locking process of the lasers unavoidably affected the detailed soliton features, it was found that its effect on the soliton shaping was minor [3] Both the experimental and theoretical studies have shown. Different from the NPR mode locking, mode-locking with a SESAM requires no polarizer in the laser cavity, which potentially allows the formation of a DVS in the laser cavity Formation of both the frequency locked and phase locked DVSs in the negative GVD regime were theoretically predicted by Akhmediev et al [6], and experimentally observed in a fiber laser mode-locked with a SESAM [7]. Numerical simulations are found in agreement of the experimental observations, which confirm the DVS formation in the fiber lasers

Experimental setup

Numerical simulations

Conclusion