Pulse amplitude equalization in a harmonically modelocked fiber laser using a dispersion imbalanced non-linear loop mirror

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel method of pulse-amplitude-equalization in a 10 GHz harmonically mode-locked fiber ring laser by adding a dispersion imbalanced non-linear loop mirror (DI-NOLM) in the laser cavity. The non-linear switching characteristic of a DI-NOLM can make the laser operate at additive pulse mode-locking (APM) or additive pulse limiting (APL) mode. When the laser was biased at APL region, supermode noise was suppressed and the laser output was more stable against amplitude fluctuations.