Tunable wavelength erbium doped fiber linear cavity laser based on mechanically induced long-period fiber gratings

Abstract

Tunable wavelength erbium doped fiber linear cavity laser, based on mechanically induced long-period fiber gratings (MLPFG) is presented. The laser was tuned applying pressure over the MLPFG, in order to monitor this, pressure is applied over a plate with periodic grooves that has a short length, this pressure is controlled by a digital torque tester as a result tunable effect is observed. The grooves have a period of 620µm and the maximal pressure without breakpoint fiber is around 0.80lb-in2. Furthermore, the MLPFG used can be erased, reconfigured and exhibit a transmission spectra with termal stability, similar to high cost photoinduced long period gratings. In this work, by pressure increment distributed over the MLPFG from 0.40 lb-in2 to 0. 70 lb-in 2, tuned operation range of 14nm was observed and single line emission was tuned in the C telecommunication band. According to the stability analysis the signal to noise ratio was 29 dB and minimal wavelength oscillations of 0.29nm.