In present paper we employ numerical simulation, based on solution of system of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations, for demonstration of the possibility of ultra-narrow spectral generation in a Raman fiber laser with randomly distributed feedback. Line spectrum formation is caused by weak optical feedback due to Rayleigh backscattering if its impact overweighs the effects of nonlinear interactions. This can be observed either near the generation threshold, where generation power is low, or well above the threshold in case of artificially lowered nonlinear coefficient. Our simulation agrees well with previous experimental observations of ultra-narrow spectral modes in random fiber laser.
Spectral properties of Raman fiber lasers with randomly distributed feedback well above generation threshold are mainly defined by nonlinear interactions in the fiber. The role of randomly distributed feedback hence is expected to be negligible, though this problem has not been investigated particularly. We numerically study spectral properties of a random fiber laser and a corresponding fiber amplifier with no feedback and emphasize the importance of Rayleigh backscattering: having marginal influence on generation efficiency, it affects the generation spectrum shape and width.
We numerically consider the system of coupled Raman fiber lasers which depending on the phase shifts between coupled cavities can be operated either in PT-symmetric or PT-broken generation regime. Within the full dynamical model of coupled NLSE we plot the generation properties map over phase shifts and pump powers. We found different types of the generated radiation in both PT-symmetric and PT-broken phase: quasi-CW stochastic generation, generation of noise-like pulses, and stable pulsed generation of narrow pulses of 100-200 ps width. We also reveal transitions between different generation states and types of the radiation over pump power and/or phase shifts between coupled cavities. In addition, we determined the optimal parameters of a system of coupled Raman fiber lasers to achieve pulsed lasing depending on the lasing regime with respect to PT symmetry.
We report on research into the properties of supercontinuum (SC) generated from low-coherence bursts of different duration in a 1-km long P2O5 fibre. It was found out that SC with a spectral width of ~135–150 nm is formed within the ~900–1200-nm range mostly due to cascaded Raman scattering of noise-like pulses with the variable envelope duration of 36–153 ps (sub-pulse duration was ~ 300 fs) and average power of 560 mW at 1080 nm. It was discovered that the spectral width of SC is predominantly affected by the duration of interaction between the pumping and Raman pulses.
Synchronously pumped Raman oscillators provide efficient nonlinear spectral conversion of ultrashort pulses. Designing of Raman oscillators is a highly dimensional optimization task requiring extensive computations. Here, we implement novel numerical model of stimulated Raman scattering to design a specific laser system with embedded cavities of mode-locked fiber laser and Raman oscillator. Following system allows taking the advantages of high intracavity powers of mode-locked laser during Raman spectral conversion. We analyze the regions of stable coexistence of mode-locked and Raman pulses, their spectral-temporal and coherent properties.
For the first time demonstrated are possibilities of control over the duration of sub-pulses within nanosecond noise-like pulse bunches, from 1.4 ps to 170 fs, through spectral filtering of radiation. The proposed method is implemented on the basis of an actively mode-locked Yb fibre laser. Prospects of electronic control over sub-pulse duration are analysed and practical applications are further discussed, in which sub-pulse duration may be important.
Reported is an experimental study of a new approach to laser synthesis of arbitrary optical waveforms with nanosecond resolution. This approach relies on combination of a fast-recovery active medium (semiconductor optical amplifier, SOA) and a waveguide electro-optic switch which plays the role of a variable output coupler in a SOA-fibre laser. Programmable electronical control of output coupling allowed production of periodic and aperiodic arbitrary optical waveforms profiled with a nanosecond resolution at arbitrary repetition rates ranging from single shot to tens of MHz. The proposed method is distinguished by its simplicity, high efficiency, and relatively narrow output radiation spectrum.
This report analyses possible mechanisms of conversion of noise-like laser pulses into coherent ones with comparatively high efficiency. It is demonstrated that incoherent or partly coherent pulses can be promising for phase-insensitive pumping in processes where the structure of pumping pulses is not related to the structure of generated/transformed pulses. Among applications that leverage such processes may be mentioned, for example, passively mode-locked pulse generation, supercontinuum generation in a nonlinear amplifier, as well as some others. Efficient conversion of noise-like laser pulses into coherent solitons enables attractive prospects of application of localised noise-like wave objects capable of carrying relatively high energies.
We report on study of photonic device based on a new spectral Raman converter allowing conversion from incoherent double-scale pumping laser pulses into coherent solitons. The developed photonic device features saturable absorption in the fibre cavity of synchronously pumped Raman laser. Conditions are identified allowing conversion efficiency over 45%. The limitations and advantages of the proposed approach are demonstrated, and also the prospects of its implementation in an all-fibre configuration. Efficient conversion of noise-like laser pulses into coherent solitons through nonlinear Raman shift phenomena enables attractive prospects of application of localised noise-like wave objects capable of carrying relatively high energies.
This work studies a fibre laser platform for generation of controllable localised wave structures. It was found out that a figure-8 laser with two independently pumped active media allows precisely controllable generation of solitary-wave bound states of up to the 6th order. Nonlinear shortening of the temporal pulse separation was discovered when 3 or more bound pulses are generated. Shown are the peculiarities of transitions among pre-determined dissipative multi-soliton complexes occurring both with and without Raman wave generation. Provided are distribution maps of peak power and energy of stable bound waves depending on pump powers of the active media.
We consider a system of coupled Raman fiber lasers which exhibit PT-symmetric or PT-broken symmetry properties depending on phase shifts between coupled cavities and pump power. We numerically study temporal properties of radiation of this system. We found that besides laminar and turbulent generation regimes of different PT-properties, the coupled lasers allows generation of pulses. The pulsed generation properties are varying from noise-like pulses to stable hundreds of ps-scale pulses depending on pump power and PT-symmetry of the system. We track the transitions between different pulsed regimes and also found that these regimes could co-exist at the same time.
The work presents for the first time generation of complex optical waveforms in a hybrid mode-locked fibre-semiconductor laser. We experimentally show that with mode locking by synchronous pumping of the semiconductor active medium, almost arbitrary temporal pulse profiles are possible by appropriate shaping of the electric pumping pulses. Discussed are limitations and possibilities of electro-optical pulse shape transfer in mode-locked lasers on a nano- and micro-second duration scales and the prospect of shorter time scales. Demonstrated generation of stable periodic optical waveforms with specified structure opens up the potential of new laser sources with widely controllable pulse shape for research and practical applications.
Raman fiber lasers are known for a various types of generation regimes based on their stochasticity properties. Usually, Raman fiber lasers generate in so-called turbulent generation regime characterized by almost stochastic temporal dynamics and wide generation spectrum. However, under specific conditions, one can achieve a so-called laminar generation regimes with largely suppressed temporal intensity fluctuations and narrow generation spectrum consisting of highly correlated longitudinal modes. From other side, by an introducing a concept of PT-symmetry, one can achieve generation regimes different by their parity-time-symmetry properties. In coupled Raman fiber lasers PT-symmetry could be introduced as well. In this manuscript we consider an interplay between PT-symmetric generation properties and temporal properties of the generation. We show that various turbulent and laminar generation regimes could have different PT-symmetric properties.
Usually a laser is considered as a system that delivers a particular temporal dynamic generation regime, which can be tailored by means of cavity parameters or power. By introducing a concept of PT-symmetry, one can achieve different types of stationary regimes, for example, single-mode operation. In the present work we consider a coupled Raman fiber lasers interconnected by means of Mach-Zender interferometer. We numerically investigate such coupled fiber lasers within a full dynamical model based on nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Firstly, we show that nonlinearity induced phase stochasticity does not destroy PT-symmetry, but makes PT-symmetric regimes to exist in narrower region of parameters. We study dynamical properties of the generation regimes and find that depending on parameters (pump power and phase shift), different dynamical regimes have different parity-time properties. We show that by varying PT-properties one can switch between different dynamic regimes. We also show that if the pump power is fixed, and phase shift is changed from zero (a case of fully uncoupled cavities) to the maximum value, the laser transits from generation in PT-broken regime to a PT-symmetric generation. At the same time, the laser exhibits a simultaneous reverse transition from a turbulent to a laminar generation.
We demonstrate for the first time a fibre Raman laser delivering record-setting energy (60 nJ) of double-scale picofemtosecond pulses at wavelength of 1270 nm, which is of great interest in bio-medical applications. A Stokes wave was generated in single-stage Raman conversion of amplified radiation from a mode-locked F8 Yb-doped laser passing through a synchronously pumped phosphosilicate fibre ring cavity. The converted radiation at 1270 nm amounting to 47% of the total Raman laser output was maximised by tuning the repetition rate of the pulses generated in the Yb-doped master oscillator to the fundamental inter-mode spacing frequency of the phosphosilicate fibre cavity.
The work reports for the first time on fibre-based Raman conversion with relatively large Stokes shift pumped by double-scale laser pulses having various degree of coherence. It was discovered that the degree of coherence of the pump pulses affects significantly the amount of the wavelength shift, intensity, and spectral width of frequency-downconverted radiation. At lower coherence within double-scale pulses, the magnitude of intra-pulse femtosecond field oscillation grows, leading to stronger nonlinear pulse interaction with the optical medium. This discovery suggests new approaches to nonlinear transformation of partially coherent laser pulses, typical of many mode-locked generation regimes of fibre lasers.
This work reports the results of research into mode-locked fibre lasers with non-trivial and controllable distribution of the radiation intensity along the resonant cavity. It is shown that local minimisation of non-linear optical effects and chromatic dispersion enables stable mode locking in ultra-long cavities and allows higher output pulse energies. Different configurations of fibre laser cavities, which may be promising for achievement of uniquely high pulse energies are discussed and analysed.
The work presents for the first time a comparative study of mode-locked figure-8 laser, in which two independently pumped active media are located either in the same or in different cavity loops. It is shown that the NALM2 configuration (both active media in the same cavity loop) delivers both higher average and peak radiation power. Flexibility of NALM/NALM2 technologies is further demonstrated for implementation of algorithmic electronically driven control over radiation mode-locking regimes. Also discussed are the results of experimental testing of electronic methods relying on NALM/NALM2 technologies for setting desired generation regimes.
This work investigates a concept of coupled fiber lasers exhibiting PT-symmetry and a PT-transition between PTsymmetric and PT-broken lasing states. We consider a system operated via Raman gain comprising two fiber loops (ring cavities) connected to each other by means of two fiber couplers with adjustable phase shift between them. By changing the phase shift or/and amplification (loss) in fiber loops, one can switch between generation regimes, realizing either PTsymmetric or PT-broken solution. In the PT-symmetric lasing regime, equal powers are generated in both cavities despite only active one is pumped. We make theoretical and numerical description of the proposed coupled fiber lasers starting with the simple discrete matrix model taking into account coupling, phase delays, gain (which is assumed to be saturated), losses and nonlinear phase shift. We show how the PT-transition is affected by self-phase modulation inside the fiber cavity and investigate requirements that should be met in order to observe PT-transition experimentally despite Kerr effect that violates exact symmetry conditions. In particular, we show that PT-transition may be observable only near lasing threshold. Further on we adopt more sophisticated model based on Nonlinear Schrödinger equation for PT fiber laser. Taking into account quasi-CW polychromatic radiation with typical spectral bandwidth of fiber Raman lasers, chromatic dispersion and Kerr nonlinearity, we demonstrate both PT-symmetric and PT-broken lasing in a fiber laser.
The present work proposes and studies approaches for development of new modified non-linear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) allowing flexible and dynamic control of their non-linear properties within a relatively broad range of radiation powers. Using two independently pumped active media in the loop reflector constitutes one of the most promising approaches to development of better NALM with nonlinear properties controllable independently of the intra-cavity radiation power. This work reports on experimental and theoretical studies of the proposed redesigned NALM allowing both a higher level of energy parameters of output generated by mode-locked fibre oscillators and new possibilities of switching among different mode-locked regimes.
In this work, we propose a concept of a coupled fiber laser exhibiting PT-symmetry properties. We consider a system operated via Raman gain. The scheme comprises two identical fiber loops (ring cavities) connected by means of two fiber couplers with variable phase shift between them. We show that by changing the phase shift one can switch between generation regimes, realizing either PT-symmetric or PT-broken solution. Furthermore, the paper investigates some peculiarities of the system such as power oscillations and the role of nonlinear phase shift in fiber rings.
Among the demerits of standard nonlinear amplifying loop mirrors (NALM), one can single out the dependence of its reflectivity upon the intensity of the intra-cavity. This results in a relatively narrow range of radiation power, within which stable mode-locked operation of a fibre laser with NALM can be achieved. This work reports for the first time that in the process of generation, the NALM reflectivity may be controlled independently of the intra-cavity radiation power by using two different active media with independent pump sources. The newly proposed layout allows stable mode locking within a substantially broader radiation power range and enables achievement of record-high pulse parameters.
In this work, we present our results of RF spectral analysis applied to mode-locked lasers and propose a method of qualitative assessment of mode-locked operation, which allows differentiation of individual generation regimes by a parameter calculated from RF spectra of the fundamental and the n-th radiation harmonics. The proposed parameter is derived both from the signal-to-noise ratio and from width and amount of additional noise present in RF spectrum of inter-mode beats at the fundamental pulse repetition frequency and its harmonic. This work presents analysis of energy fluctuations and temporal instability of pulse train period for different regimes of pulse generation in Yb fibre laser mode locked due to nonlinear polarization evolution. The paper shows that energy fluctuations of single-scale (“conventional”) pulses is about 1.6%, whereas for double-scale pulses energy fluctuations amount to 11.5%. Temporal instability of double-scale pulse train period is 1.5 times higher in comparison with single-scale pulse train period.
For the first time a method for switching between generation of single- and double-scale pulses has been demonstrated in a mode-locked figure-eight NALM-based all-PM-fibre Yb master oscillator by adjustment of two pumps power. Introduction into a F8 configuration of a non-linear amplifying loop mirror with two active media not only ensured relatively high average output power of the master oscillator (> 0.5 W at 22-MHz repetition rate), but also allowed switching laser operation from one pulse type (single-scale with duration of <10 ps) to another - femtosecond clusters with envelope width of 16 ps and sub-pulse duration <200 fs.
The present paper for the first time proposes and studies a relatively simple model of noise-like pulses that matches the experimental data well and suggests that there is a correlation between phases of adjacent spectral components of noiselike pulses. Comparison of a relatively basic model of ‘random’ pulses with the results of noise-like pulse modelling in mode-locked fibre lasers based on coupled non-linear Schrödinger equations demonstrates that it adequately reproduces temporal and spectral properties of noise-like pulses as well as correlation between adjacent modes so that it’s possible to use the proposed model for highly efficient simulations of promising applications of noise-like pulses, such as material processing, non-linear frequency conversion, microscopy, and others.
This work discusses the results of research into comparative efficiency of non-linear transformation of picosecond
single- and double-scale fibre laser pulses in generation of Raman-dominated supercontinuum (SC) due to cascaded
stimulated Raman scattering of these pulses in a long extra-cavity fibre. We demonstrate properties of SC formed by
superposition of spectra of several Stokes components when pumped with pulses of different structure. More efficient
Raman transformation of double-scale pulses was identified, leading to broader SC spectra. The work presents features
of temporal distributions of radiation intensity of single- and double-scale pulses-induced SC at different average input
powers.
In this work we propose a NLSE-based model of power and spectral properties of the random distributed feedback
(DFB) fiber laser. The model is based on coupled set of non-linear Schrödinger equations for pump and Stokes waves
with the distributed feedback due to Rayleigh scattering. The model considers random backscattering via its average
strength, i.e. we assume that the feedback is incoherent. In addition, this allows us to speed up simulations sufficiently
(up to several orders of magnitude). We found that the model of the incoherent feedback predicts the smooth and narrow
(comparing with the gain spectral profile) generation spectrum in the random DFB fiber laser. The model allows one to
optimize the random laser generation spectrum width varying the dispersion and nonlinearity values: we found, that the
high dispersion and low nonlinearity results in narrower spectrum that could be interpreted as four-wave mixing between
different spectral components in the quasi-mode-less spectrum of the random laser under study could play an important
role in the spectrum formation. Note that the physical mechanism of the random DFB fiber laser formation and
broadening is not identified yet. We investigate temporal and statistical properties of the random DFB fiber laser
dynamics. Interestingly, we found that the intensity statistics is not Gaussian. The intensity auto-correlation function also
reveals that correlations do exist. The possibility to optimize the system parameters to enhance the observed intrinsic
spectral correlations to further potentially achieved pulsed (mode-locked) operation of the mode-less random distributed
feedback fiber laser is discussed.
This work presents for the first time the results of study of one of the simplest and most reliable configurations of a ring
fibre laser passively mode-locked due to nonlinear polarisation evolution. The laser arrangement under consideration
comprises a single phase retarding element in contrast to most widely used configurations with several wave plates or
two polarisation controllers. By means of numerical simulation based on coupled non-linear Schrödinger equations for
orthogonal polarisation components, we investigate mode-lock domain in terms of pump power and phase delay
introduced by the single polarisation control element. Changing pump power, we demonstrate the capacity of such a
simple cavity layout with only one polarisation element to operate in different lasing regimes including generation of
conventional laser pulse trains at the fundamental repetition rate, generation of double-scale partially coherent and noiselike
pulses and generation of multiple pulses per round-trip. Besides the results of a detailed numerical study, we also
announce experimental results obtained from an Er fibre laser with a single polarisation controlling element based on an
electronically driven liquid crystal. Our experimental observations are in good qualitative agreement with simulation
results and constitute a platform for creation of new simple, low-cost, and reliable self-starting fibre lasers with ultrashort
optical pulses.
This work demonstrates that fibre lasers mode-locked due to non-linear polarisation evolution (NPE) feature a very broad
range of their pulse parameter variation in different generation regimes of these lasers. Both numerical modelling and
experimental studies confirm that pulse parameters, such as duration and spectrum width may differ by an order of
magnitude and more. This ultra-broad variability of pulse parameters in fibre lasers mode-locked due to NPE is unique
and has no analogues in other mode-locked lasers. Relatively broad range of key pulse parameters of fibre lasers modelocked
due to NPE requires that at least the duration and spectral width of the generated pulses be interactively controlled.
For instance, adjustment of polarisation controllers in these lasers may change the pulse duration from 4 to 80 ps and the
spectrum width from 0.2 to 7.4 nm.
We present the numerical study of the statistical properties of the partially coherent quasi-CW high-Q cavity
Raman fiber laser. The statistical properties are different for the radiation generated at the spectrum center or
spectral wings. It is found that rare extreme events are generated at the far spectral wings at one pass only. The
mechanism of the extreme events generation is a turbulent-like four-wave mixing of numerous longitudinal
generation modes. The similar mechanism of extreme waves appearance during the laser generation could be
important in other types of fiber lasers.
A detailed quantitative numerical analysis of partially coherent quasi-CW fiber laser is performed on the example of
high-Q cavity Raman fiber laser. The key role of precise spectral performances of fiber Bragg gratings forming the laser
cavity is clarified. It is shown that cross phase modulation between the pump and Stokes waves does not affect the
generation. Amplitudes of different longitudinal modes strongly fluctuate obeying the Gaussian distribution. As intensity
statistics is noticeably non-exponential, longitudinal modes should be correlated.
This report for the first time presents the results of experimental investigations into femto- and picosecond all-positive
dispersion wavelength-tuneable Yb-doped fibre laser with efficient intra-cavity and extra-cavity Raman conversion of
radiation in the range of 1070-1300 nm. We demonstrate smooth spectral detuning of radiation Stokes components
within ranges 1130-1174, 1190-1235, and 1255-1300 nm generated when the fundamental harmonic of the laser was
tuned within the 1075-1120-nm range. The average output power of the laser radiation at different Stokes components
reached up to 250 mW.
Different generation modes of all-positive-dispersion all-fibre Yb laser mode-locked due to effect of non-linear
polarization evolution are investigated. For the first time we realized in the same laser both generation of single
picoseconds pulse train and a newly observed lasing regime where generated are picosecond wave-packets, each being a
train of femtosecond sub-pulses. Using both experimental results and numerical modeling we discuss in detail the
mechanisms of laser mode-locking and switching of generation regimes and show a strong dependence of output laser
characteristics on configuration of polarization controllers. A good qualitative agreement between experimental results
and numerical modeling is demonstrated.
The present paper analyzes different methods for dynamic control of parameters of super-continuum generated in fibres both under pulse and CW pumping as well as peculiarities of temporal structure of different super-continua. In particular we show experimentally and numerically a sensitivity of supercontinuum spectral power density to wavelength and repetition rate of pump pulses. We find also that chirp variation of pump pulses results in change of super-continuum coherence for short-wavelength wing. A novel method for control of SC generation under CW pumping is proposed. We discuss the method for control of repetition rate and duration of pulses generated with the help of dual-wavelength pumping by means of adjusting input power and frequency difference. Developed super-continuum generators with enhanced set of controlled parameters are essential for cytometry, tomography, spectroscopy, communications and for other applications.
The present paper analyses features of super-continuum generated from pulsed and CW excitation. It has been shown
that generation mechanisms and many properties of super-continuum produced with CW excitation are cardinally
different from those of super-continuum generated by pulsed excitation. On the other hand, different applications pose
different, and often opposite requirements to the super-continuum, which cannot be satisfied within a single universal technique of super-continuum generation. In this connection, we have analyzed pulsed and CW schemes of super-continuum generators and conditions which should be fulfilled in order to achieve optimal super-continuum parameters required in most typical super-continuum applications (metrology, tomography, spectroscopy, communications). In particular, we consider a special regime of super-continuum generation, where an amplitude-modulated CW pump breaks up into periodic sequence of ultra-short pulses under the action of induced modulation instability. In the work we have studied for the first time the effect of noise (spontaneous emission) on this break-up and determined conditions for depth and frequency of initial modulation needed for this process both numerically and analytically (in the approximation of slightly intensity modulated CW pump radiation).
In this paper it was for the first time experimentally proven that chirp of pumping femtosecond pulses has considerable
effect on the degree of coherence of short-wavelength part of super-continuum (SC) with strongly expressed soliton
structures in its spectrum. At the same time the soliton component of super-continuum retains full coherence when the
chirp of pumping radiation is varied. The broadest spectrum width of SC and the highest degree of coherence of the
short-wavelength components of SC are achieved at small positive values of the chirp parameter. The noise-to signal
ratio of SC was analyzed with the help of numerical simulation and it was found that at the optimal near-zero chirp
value the degree of coherence of our SC is sufficient for metrology applications.
Numerical simulations are used to study temporal characteristics of supercontinuum (SC) generated in tapered and photonic crystal fibers. The dependence of SC temporal characteristics on pumping parameters (pulse duration, peak power, and wavelength) is investigated. The correlation between the SC spectrum and temporal structure is studied. This correlation is shown to be caused by fiber dispersion. An easy way to estimate SC pulse duration by spectrum width is proposed. It is shown that using specially designed fibers with flattened dispersion one can obtain shorter SC pulses.
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