Vector soliton generation from a compact all-polarization-maintaining fiber laser

Abstract

We investigate polarization-locked vector solitons (PLVSs) arising in an all-polarization-maintaining (PM) soliton fiber laser mode-locked by a carbon nanotube. The laser can operate stably in both Q-switched and mode-locked states with different pump power. Under the PLVS condition, we observe a string of peak-dip-pair sidebands after polarization-resolving measurement, indicating the strong and regular energy exchange between the two polarized orthogonal components, which evidently distinguishes this all-PM fiber laser from conventional single-mode fiber-based vector cavities. By dispersion compensating, vector dissipative solitons are also successfully obtained. The cavity structure is greatly simplified and stabilized by a hybrid fiber component and shows excellent long-term stability.