Abstract
We describe experimental investigation of pulsed output from a multi-wavelength fiber ring laser incorporating low frequency phase modulation with large modulation amplitude. The Erbium-doped fiber (EDF) ring laser generated more than 8 wavelength channels with the help of a phase modulator operating at 26.2 kHz and a periodic intra-cavity filter. For most cases, the laser output is pulsed in the form of mode-locking at 5.62 MHz and/or Q-switching at harmonic and sub-harmonic of the phase modulation frequency. Chaotic pulse output is also observed. The behavior of the output pulses are described as functions of pump power and phase modulation amplitude. The relative intensity noise (RIN) value of a single wavelength channel is measured to be under -100 dB/Hz (-140 dB/Hz beyond 1.5 GHz).
Highlights
Cost-effective multi-wavelength (MW) light sources have attracted much attention for their applications in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) communications and sensor systems
We describe experimental investigation of pulsed output from a multi-wavelength fiber ring laser incorporating low frequency phase modulation with large modulation amplitude
The Erbium-doped fiber (EDF) ring laser generated more than 8 wavelength channels with the help of a phase modulator operating at 26.2 kHz and a periodic intra-cavity filter
Summary
Cost-effective multi-wavelength (MW) light sources have attracted much attention for their applications in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) communications and sensor systems. Among several different approaches studied, frequency-shifted feedback fiber lasers demonstrated possibilities to generate MW spectrum with readily available practical optical components [1,2,3,4] In this approach, the consecutive frequency-shift of cavity modes provided by an intra-cavity acousto-optic modulator (AOM) interferes with the buildup of otherwise the predominant lasing mode. The use of a bulk optic AOM in the fiber laser cavity introduces optical loss and limited long term stability that are not desirable for practical applications Another more recent approach replaces the AOM with an all-fiber phase modulator (PZT cylinder) operating at relatively low frequency (tens of kHz range) [5,6]. RIN was measured to be below 100 dB/Hz for a single wavelength channel and possible applications are discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
