Power-Scalable, Sub-Nanosecond Mode-Locked Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser Based on a Frequency-Shifted-Feedback Ring Cavity Incorporating a Narrow Bandpass Filter

Abstract

We present an all-fiberized power-scalable, sub-nanosecond mode-locked laser based on a frequency-shifted-feedback ring cavity comprised of an erbium-doped fiber, a downshifting acousto-optic modulator (AOM), and a bandpass filter (BPF). With the aid of the frequency-shifted feedback mechanism provided by the AOM and the narrow filter bandwidth of 0.45 nm, we generate self-starting, mode-locked optical pulses with a spectral bandwidth of ~0.098 nm and a pulsewidth of 432 to 536 ps. In particular, the output power is readily scalable with pump power while keeping the temporal shape and spectral bandwidth. This is obtained via the consolidation of bound pulse modes circulating at the fundamental repetition rate of the cavity. In fact, the consolidated pulses form a single-entity envelope of asymmetric Gaussian shape where no discrete internal pulses are perceived. This result highlights that the inclusion of the narrow BPF into the cavity is crucial to achieving the consolidated pulses.