Sub-nanometer tuning of mode-locked pulse by mechanical strain on tapered fiber

• Published in: Optics communications 2017-03, Vol.387, p.84-88
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Harith, Faruki, Md Jahid, Tiu, Zian Cheak, Thambiratnam, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mode-locked pulse laser; Tapered fiber; Tunable mode-locked pulse laser
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2016.11.039

A tunable mode-locked fiber laser based on the non-linear polarization rotation (NPR) technique is proposed and demonstrated. A passively generated mode-locked output is obtained with a repetition rate of about 70ns and an average output power of 0.7mW, as well as a laser efficiency of 0.53%. The mode-locked pulses can be tuned over a span of 4.4nm, from 1560.6nm to 1556.2, corresponding to a stretching of the tapered fiber from 0 to 100µm in 10µm increments. The pulses have an average signal-to-noise ratio of about 41dB in the frequency domain, indicating a highly stable mode-locked output. The system can repeat and reverse the generation of these pulses, a crucial criterion of many communications and sensing applications. •Tunable mode-locked fiber laser based on non-linear polarization rotation technique.•Passively generated mode-locked output with a repetition rate of about 70ns.•Mode-locked pulses can be tuned over 4.4 nm for stretching of 0 to 100 µm.•Pulses have an average signal-to-noise ratio of about 41dB in the frequency domain.•System can repeat and reverse the generation of these pulses.