Mode-locked Erbium-doped Fiber Laser Research Articles

Passively Mode-Locked Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser and Application in Laser Thrombolysis

Fiber lasers have been widely used in surgery with the development of fiber photonics. Since the human body is prone to myocardial infarction caused by blood clots, laser thrombolysis was proposed as a safe and efficient treatment. Mode-locked fiber lasers have high peak power and narrow pulse width. In order to observe the effect of laser thrombolysis with mode-locked fiber lasers, a 1.5 µm mode-locked fiber laser based on carbon nanotubes was built, showing a pulse width of 1.46 ps, a 3 dB bandwidth of 1.65 nm, and a repetition rate of 29.5 MHz. The output pulses were amplified by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier to the hundred-milliwatt level and were applied to the surface of a self-made thrombus. The influences of lasing power and time on the damage diameter of the thrombus surface were evaluated. A low threshold damage power of 45 mW was observed, which resulted from the high peak power of the mode-locked pulses. These results demonstrate that high ablation efficiency can be achieved by using mode-locked pulses with a narrow pulse width and high peak power.

Mode-locked soliton pulse generation using copper phthalocyanine absorber in long erbium-doped fibre laser cavity

We present the development of a mode-locked erbium-doped fibre laser (EDFL) utilizing Copper Phthalocyanine (CuPc) as a saturable absorber (SA). CuPc exhibits unique optical properties, including its high nonlinear optical response and rapid recovery time. To seamlessly integrate CuPc into the laser cavity, we employed a simple embedding technique within a polymer film. The SA demonstrates a modulation depth of 3.1% and a saturation intensity of 17 MW/cm2. Operating within a pump power range of 90.6 to 122.9 mW, the laser achieves mode-locked operation, producing a soliton pulse train with a fundamental frequency of 1.82 MHz and a pulse width of 6.4 ps at a wavelength of 1561.5 nm. It attains a maximum output power of 13.97 mW and a pulse energy of 7.67 nJ. These results underscore CuPc's potential as a promising material for generating mode-locked pulses, suggesting new avenues in ultrafast laser development for diverse applications.

All-polarization-maintaining Figure-9 Erbium-doped modelocked fiber laser based on bidirectionally pumped weak asymmetric NALM

All-polarization-maintaining Figure-9 Erbium-doped modelocked fiber laser based on bidirectionally pumped weak asymmetric NALM

Study of step-like pulses from a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser in L-band

This paper presents a numerical simulation and an experiment on the generation of step-like pulse in an ultra-long cavity passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). The gain competition phenomenon and the peak power clamping (PPC) effect of the step-like pulse are investigated with reasonable transmittance equation. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first interpretation and simulation of step-like pulse. And we believe that the findings contribute to the enrichment of nonlinear dynamics understanding and are anticipated to enhance laser performance optimization.

Nanosecond-pulse fiber laser mode-locked with iron phthalocyanine

Abstract In this paper, we demonstrated a passively mode-locked erbium doped fiber laser (EDFL) using iron phthalocyanine (FePc) material as a saturable absorber (SA). The FePc-SA was prepared via a casting method, integrating FePc powder with polyvinyl alcohol to form FePc-PVA film. When implemented into the mode-locked EDFL cavity, the laser generated 356 ns pulses at a repetition rate of 969 kHz. Operating at a wavelength of 1559 nm, the laser achieved pulse energy of 6.04 nJ, output power of 5.85 mW, and peak power of 0.014 W under a maximum pump power of 128.92 mW. The laser exhibited remarkable stability, evidenced by a signal-to-noise ratio of 71.7 dB at the fundamental frequency. These results demonstrate that FePc material effectively serves as a mode-locker for generating nanosecond pulses.

Harnessing tin phthalocyanine for ultrafast mode-locking in an erbium-doped fiber laser

We present the first demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, of a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) employing tin phthalocyanines (SnPc) as a saturable absorber (SA). The investigated SA exhibits a notable modulation depth of 18.6%, fabricated via a simple, cost-effective method, wherein the SnPc compound is embedded into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film. Integration of this thin film into the EDFL cavity facilitates the generation of output pulses with a repetition rate of 0.96 MHz and a pulse duration of 2.68 ps. The frequency spectrum showcases a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 73.2 dB, affirming the stability of the mode-locking operation. Operating at a wavelength of 1531.7 nm, this picosecond pulse train holds significant promise for diverse applications, including high-precision optical metrology, frequency-comb generation, and broadband absorption spectroscopy.

Narrowband 10-ps-class mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser oscillator

We demonstrate a narrowband erbium-doped fiber (EDF) laser oscillator having a linear cavity based on the design of bulk laser oscillators mode-locked by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) and out coupled by a fiber Bragg grating. The EDF laser oscillator has an average power of 7.06 ± 0.04 mW with a 3 dB bandwidth of 0.37 nm and a pulse duration of ∼12 ps at a repetition rate of 50.47 MHz. A pulse energy of ∼140 pJ is the highest ever reported in SESAM mode-locked EDF laser oscillators with a nearly Fourier-limited pulse duration demonstrating power scalability of a bulk laser and compactness of a nearly all-fiber laser. The repetition rate has a free-running fluctuation of only 312 Hz over 7 h of operation making it a promising light source for application to laser spectroscopy. The long pulse duration makes this EDF laser oscillator a suitable source for seeding a high-average-power amplifier using a large mode-area photonic crystal or tapered gain fiber without the need of pulse stretching. Moreover, this laser oscillator could be an alternative solution to the development of complicated bulk narrowband laser sources suitable for building an ion trap for application to quantum computing.

Dual-wavelength erbium-doped mode-locked fiber laser based on CoPS3 saturable absorber

An erbium-doped mode-locked fiber laser based on CoPS3 saturable absorber was successfully constructed and ultrashort pulsed light was obtained. The CoPS3 nanosheets solution was prepared using the liquid-phase exfoliation technique, and then drop-coated onto a tapered fiber as a saturable absorber. The fiber laser based on CoPS3 saturable absorber could output conventional solitons at the central wavelengths of 1557.46 nm or 1532.12 nm, respectively, as well as simultaneously output conventional solitons at dual wavelengths of 1531.56 nm and 1557.32 nm, with the ability to switch between the three operational states. The achieved minimum pulse width was 1.59 ps. In addition to conventional solitons, the laser demonstrated the capability to generate bound-state solitons. This study highlights the effectiveness of CoPS3 as a reliable optical modulator for fiber lasers and illustrates its potential for applications in ultrafast optics.

Wavelength tunable noise-like pulses in a hybrid mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser

The study demonstrates a new type of laser that generates wavelength-tunable h-shaped noise-like pulses (NLPs). We incorporated the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) mechanism into a figure-eight erbium-doped hybrid mode-locked fiber laser based on the nonlinear amplifier loop mirror (NALM). Under an intra-cavity net dispersion of −5.535 ps2, the system produced NLPs with a maximum pulse duration of 24.54 ns, a maximum single energy of 19.96 nJ and a maximum output average power of 14.46 mW when the pump power was set to 543 mW. By adjusting the pump power and fine-tuning the polarization controller, the laser can output NLPs with tunable wavelengths ranging from 1560 to 1601 nm. The flexibility of wavelength-tunable techniques has potential applications in laser detection, high-energy physics experiments, and other fields, enriching the research framework of noise-like applications.

270 MHz passively mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser using single walled carbon nanotube polymer film

We demonstrated a short-cavity mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on single walled carbon nanotube polymer composite film saturable absorber with a maximum fundamental repetition rate of 270.5 MHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest fundamental repetition rate among mode-locked erbium-doped ring fiber lasers based on nanomaterial polymer composite films. Samples with non-saturable loss range from 13.2% to 60% and modulation depth from 1.63% to 7.08% are prepared by controlling carbon nanotube concentration and film thickness. We systematically investigate the impacts of saturable absorbers on mode-locking repetition rate. Our results show that when the laser repetition rate continuously increases from 15.45 MHz to 270.5 MHz, samples with higher non-saturable loss will push forward the mode-locking threshold and eventually lose mode-locking. In addition, the increased modulation depth will enhance the pulse shaping ability and result in a shorter pulse. Our results may help for high repetition rate mode-locked fiber laser design and improve the laser characteristics. The demonstrated laser may support applications such as frequency comb, etc.

Mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on Cr2GaC saturable absorber

We successfully generated short pulse in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) cavity utilizing a new saturable absorber (SA) based on chromium gallium carbide (Cr2GaC). The SA film was prepared by implanting the Cr2GaC compound into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. Upon integration into the laser’s cavity, we achieved a stable mode-locked laser centered at 1558.24 nm. This stability was maintained within a pump power range of 53.7–95.2 mW. Operating at a fixed repetition rate of 1.82, matching the cavity length, the laser consistently delivered pulses with a duration of 3.04 picoseconds. At its peak performance with a pump power of 95.2 mW, the laser exhibited an average power output of 6.81 mW, a peak power of 1.08 W, and a pulse envelope energy of 3.74 nJ. A noteworthy aspect of our study is the exceptional stability demonstrated by the laser. This stability is evidenced by a signal-to-noise ratio of 71.7 dB for the fundamental frequency. Importantly, this research represents a significant milestone as it marks the first instance of achieving soliton pulses in a laser cavity utilizing Cr2GaC as a SA.

171st-order harmonic soliton erbium-doped fiber laser based on 2H-MoTe2 saturable absorber

We have demonstrated a high order harmonic mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser by utilizing 2H-MoTe2 film as a saturable absorber (SA). The SA is synthesized by depositing 2H-MoTe2 film on a D-shaped fiber. The nonlinear optical properties of the 2H-MoTe2 SA are characterized, showing a modulation depth of 14.7% and a saturation intensity of 3 GW cm−2. Through optimizing the pump power and intra-cavity polarization state, a 171st-order harmonic soliton at 0.9 GHz repetition frequency with a pulse width of 1.06 ps was obtained. The fundamentally mode-locked pulse train had a pulse width of 1.03 ps and a repetition rate of 5.33 MHz. To the best of our knowledge, the 171st-order harmonic soliton is the highest operating repetition frequency that has ever been demonstrated in a 2H-MoTe2 SA mode locked fiber laser. The results indicate the potential of 2H-MoTe2 SA at high repetition rates regimes, which could benefit for future possible application.

Switchable Single- to Multiwavelength Conventional Soliton and Bound-State Soliton Generated from a NbTe2 Saturable Absorber-Based Passive Mode-Locked Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser.

As a member of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), NbTe2 has a work function of 5.32 eV and a band gap of 0 eV at the Fermi level, which enables it to possess broadband absorption characteristics and has huge potential in optoelectronic devices. In this work, a combination of liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) and optical deposition methods (ODMs) were used to fabricate a NbTe2 saturable absorber (SA). Based on the NbTe2 SA, a ring passive mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (PML-EDFL) was constructed by adding NbTe2 SA into the laser cavity. A switchable single- to multiwavelength (dual/triple/quadruple) conventional soliton (CS) and a bound-state soliton (BS) were observed for the first time. The results reveal that NbTe2 SA has excellent saturable absorption characteristics (modulation depth of 2.6%, saturation intensity of 177.4 MW/cm2, and unsaturated loss of 63.8%) and can suppress mode competition and stabilize multiwavelength oscillation. This study expands the applications of NbTe2 nanosheets in ultrafast optoelectronics. The proposed switchable PML-EDFL has extensive applications in high-capacity all-optical communication, high-sensitivity optical fiber sensing, high-precision spectral measurements, and high-energy-efficiency photon neural networks.

Passively harmonic mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser with a gold nanofilm saturable absorber

We demonstrate a 1.5 GHz harmonic mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser by incorporating gold nanofilm as a saturable absorber (SA). The high-quality gold nanofilm SA fabricated by the physical vapor deposition method possesses a high modulation depth of 12.9% and a low saturation intensity of 1.69 MW/cm2 at 1.56 µm, facilitating the generation of harmonic mode-locking. The fundamental mode-locked operation was obtained at 1564.7 nm, with a pulse duration of 586 fs and a repetition rate of 34.235 MHz. At the pump power of 610 mW, 44th-order harmonic mode-locking with a repetition rate of 1.506 GHz was achieved, which is the highest yet reported in mode-locked fiber lasers using gold nanomaterials as SAs. Moreover, the gold nanofilm-based harmonic mode-locked fiber laser shows relatively high signal-to-noise ratios, high output power, and good stability. These results highlight the advantage of the gold nanofilm-based SA in realizing high repetition rate laser sources.

Nanosecond pulse generation mode-locked by an artificial saturable absorber based on SMF-MMF-SMF structure

We present a noteworthy demonstration of nanosecond pulse generation utilizing an all-fiber artificial saturable absorber (SA) structure, composed of single-mode multimode single-mode fiber (SMF-MMF-SMF), integrated into a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). The SMS-based SA effectively phase-locked the longitudinal modes within the elongated EDFL cavity, resulting in the production of mode-locked pulses operating at 1567 nm. Mode-locking is achieved through the Kerr effect of nonlinear multimode interference. The pulse repetition rate is synchronized with the fundamental frequency at 1.28 MHz. At a pump power of 269.1 mW, the laser achieves a remarkable peak average pulse energy of 6.0 nJ. Demonstrating outstanding stability, the laser operation exhibits a peak-to-pedestal extinction ratio of 70 dB for the fundamental frequency. We are confident in the substantial potential of this SMS structure, positioning it as a compelling candidate for integration into ultrafast fiber lasers, with promising prospects in the field.

Passively harmonic mode-locked erbium-doped fiber lasers based on PbSnS2 saturable absorbers

The two-dimensional (2D) material PbSnS2, a type of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), is a highly anisotropic layered compound with potential applications in ultrafast optics. We prepared PbSnS2 nanosheets by liquid phase exfoliation, attached them to microfibers to fabricate saturable absorbers (SAs) by optical deposition method, and successfully applied them to a passive erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). In addition, the saturable absorption properties of PbSnS2-based SA were confirmed using a balanced two-detector measurement system. The results demonstrate that the PbSnS2-based SA can realize different stable mode-locked states in the same EDFL cavity, including fundamental frequency conventional soliton and 15th harmonic mode-locked states. Among them, the laser produced fundamental frequency mode-locked state with a signal-to-noise ratio of 59.51 dB (6.58 MHz repetition frequency). The HML pulse with a maximum repetition frequency of 98.71 MHz (corresponding to the 15th harmonic) was obtained. The results demonstrate that PbSnS2 is a candidate material for generating ultrafast pulses and has excellent potential for application in ultrafast lasers.

Stable Q-switched and femtosecond mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on a CuSe nanosheets saturable absorber.

Stable Q-switched and femtosecond mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) have been achieved using CuSe nanosheets as novel saturable absorber (SA), where the CuSe nanosheets were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The nonlinear optical properties of CuSe nanosheets were measured using an Z-scan setup, revealing nonlinear absorption coefficients of -3.67 ± 0.22 cm GW-1 at 1560 nm. The prepared CuSe nanosheets were mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to obtain a CuSe-PVA SA with a modulation depth of 3.8 ± 0.13%, and it was utilized to realize a Q-switched EDFL, obtaining the narrowest pulse duration of 1.29 µs and the maximum output power of 5.96 mW, which corresponds to a pulse energy of up to 103.7 nJ. In addition, CuSe nanosheets were deposited on a D-shaped fiber (DSF) to fabricate a CuSe-DSF SA with a modulation depth of 5.6 ± 0.17%, and it was utilized to realize a mode-locked EDFL. The mode-locked EDFL demonstrated a low threshold of only 42 mW, a pulse duration of 740 fs, and a maximum output power of 9.7 mW. Meanwhile, it exhibited a high signal-to-noise ratio of 72 dB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time of CuSe nanosheets as SA in EDFL. The results demonstrate that CuSe nanosheets are a highly promising nonlinear optical material with great potential for applications in ultrafast photonics.

Recent Advances, Applications, and Perspectives in Erbium-Doped Fiber Combs

Optical frequency combs have emerged as a new generation of metrological tools, driving advancements in various fields such as free-space two-way time–frequency transfer, low-noise microwave source generation, and gas molecule detection. Among them, fiber combs based on erbium-doped fiber mode-locked lasers have garnered significant attention due to their numerous advantages, including low noise, high system integration, and cost-effectiveness. In this review, we discuss recent developments in erbium-doped fiber combs and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of constructing fiber combs utilizing different erbium-doped mode-locked fiber lasers. First, we provide a brief introduction to the basic principles of optical frequency combs. Then, we explore erbium-doped fiber combs implemented utilizing various mode-locking techniques, such as nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR), real saturable absorber (SA), and nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM). Finally, we present an outlook on the future perspectives of erbium-doped fiber combs.

Superior Performances of Q-Switched and Mode-Locked Erbium-doped Fiber Laser using Black Titanium Dioxide Thin-film Saturable Absorbers

This work reports on the improved Q-switched and mode-locked performances of black titanium dioxide (BTiO2-x) nanoparticles embedded in thin-film composite material as a saturable absorber compared to TiO2 in an erbium-doped fiber laser. The thin-film saturable absorbers were prepared by mixing the nanoparticles with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a host. BTiO2-x has a better nonlinear absorption coefficient, β of -12.46 x 10-7 m/W compared to -7.15x 10-7 m/W for TIO2 determined using z-scan measurement. The laser performance was evaluated in the 85.21 mW – 126.48 mW pump power range. Upon inserting TiO2 and BTiO2-x SA in a laser cavity, the peaks of the output spectrum shifted from 1566.62 nm to 1563.24 nm and 1565.75 nm, respectively. Regarding Q-switched performances, BTiO2-x SA generates a shorter pulse width of 16.00 µs than TiO2 SA. The slope efficiency of the TiO2 SA was 11.72 %, which is higher than the slope efficiency of the BTiO2-x SA. The maximum average and peak power generated by the BTiO2-x SA were 55.67 % and 54.83 % higher than the TiO2 SA. As for mode-locked outputs, BTiO2-x SA can generate pulsed laser at a low threshold power of 62.29 mW compared to TiO2 SA. Furthermore, BTiO2-x SA produced a shorter pulse width of 5.04 ps, whereas TiO2 is 9.20 ps. This study demonstrates that BTiO2-x SA has the potential to produce ultrashort pulse width using the mode-locked technique.

Copper phthalocyanines as a mode-locker in an Er-doped fiber laser.

We demonstrate a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) utilizing copper phthalocyanines (CuPc) as a saturable absorber (SA) for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The investigated SA was prepared using a simple, low-cost and straightforward technique, whereby the CuPc powder was embedded into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a thin film. The thin film acted as a mode-locker when it was incorporated into the EDFL cavity to produce output pulses at a repetition rate of 1.8MHz with a pulse duration of 1.98ps. The frequency spectrum showed a signal-to-noise ratio as high as 55dB, which indicates the stability of the mode-locking operation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report using CuPc as a mode-locker.