Dual-loss-modulated QML erbium-doped fiber laser with microfiber and NPR technique

Abstract

We demonstrated a dual-loss-modulated Q-switched mode-locked (QML) erbium-doped fiber laser based on the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique with a microfiber. The microfiber served as both a highly nonlinear medium and a saturable absorber, which together with the NPR technique enables stable QML operation under significant pump power fluctuations. We evaluated the nonlinear properties of microfibers with different waist diameters. A maximum QML envelope energy of 467.15 nJ is achieved, corresponding to an average single-pulse energy of 4.06 nJ beneath the Q-switched envelope, which is 2.35 times higher than the maximum pulse energy attained with dissipative soliton mode-locking under similar pump power. In addition, the QML laser was verified by numerical simulation based on the coupled Ginzburg-Landau equation. The microfiber's customizable size enables significant variations in non-linear and saturable absorption characteristics, creating the potential for QML pulse regulation. This research provides novel insights for designing QML lasers.