Strategies for developing tunable multiwavelength, mode-locked semiconductor fiber ring lasers

Lawrence R. Chen; Hong Cao

doi:10.1117/12.628486

13 October 2005 Strategies for developing tunable multiwavelength mode-locked semiconductor fiber ring lasers

Lawrence R. Chen, Hong Cao

Proceedings Volume 5970, Photonic Applications in Devices and Communication Systems; 597025 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.628486
Event: Photonics North, 2005, Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Compact optical sources that generate picosecond pulses at multiple wavelengths are of interest for numerous applications in optical instrumentation, fiber optic sensing, and optical communications. In recent years, numerous methods have been demonstrated to obtain multi-wavelength, mode-locked (ML) operation from erbium-doped fiber lasers (EDFLs) and semiconductor fiber ring lasers (SFRLs). In contrast to EDFLs, the use of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) allows for stable, multi-wavelength emission at room temperature with narrow wavelength separation since they are not constrained by the EDF homogenous broadened linewidth, and for operation over a wide wavelength band. To increase the functionality for some applications, it is also important to be able to tune the output wavelengths of the optical pulse source. In this paper, we provide an overview of our on-going work on developing tunable multi-wavelength, ML-SFRLs. In terms of achieving multi-wavelength operation, we have used multi-wavelength filters based on a high-birefringence Sagnac loop and superimposed fiber Bragg gratings. In terms of short pulse generation, we have explored two different methods for mode-locking: the use of an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator and the injection of an external optical control signal to modulate the gain of the SOA via cross-gain modulation. Finally, in terms of wavelength tunable operation, we have exploited dispersion tuning, i.e. the use of a dispersive cavity and changing the modulation frequency of the mode-locking element. We present and discuss our results for two different ML-SFRL configurations.

Citation Download Citation

Lawrence R. Chen and Hong Cao "Strategies for developing tunable multiwavelength mode-locked semiconductor fiber ring lasers", Proc. SPIE 5970, Photonic Applications in Devices and Communication Systems, 597025 (13 October 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.628486

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
9 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Mode locking

Modulation

Fiber lasers

Picosecond phenomena

Semiconductor lasers

Optical filters

Dispersion

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years