Spectral peak generation using ultrashort pulse fiber lasers

Abstract

We discovered novel phenomenon of periodical spectral peaking in optical fibers. When an ultrashort pulse with sharp spectral dips is coupled into an optical fiber, the spectral dips are transferred into spectral peaks periodically along an optical fiber. If a molecular gas cell is used, sharp spectral peaks with sub-THz spectral interval are generated simultaneously and stably. Intense, multiple spectral peak generation was demonstrated by inserting the molecular gas cell into the fiber laser oscillator. Recently, precise, and freely controllable spectral peak generation was achieved using spatial light modulator. This technique is useful for the highly sensitive spectroscopic applications.