Abstract
Abstract
Applications of mode-locked fiber lasers benefit from robust and self-starting mode-locking, spectral tuning, high pulse energy and high average power. All-polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber lasers mode-locked with a phase-biased nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) have been shown to be very robust and reliably self-starting, and provide either spectral tuning or high pulse energy, but not both. We report on a simple method for concurrent spectral tuning and nanojoule-level pulse energy scaling of an all-PM phase-biased NALM mode-locked Yb:fiber laser, which we demonstrate over a 54 nm tuning range, reaching up to 1.67 nJ pulse energy and 126 mW average power. Unlike other laser configurations, our results show that net normal dispersion is not necessary or optimal for scaling the pulse energy of this type of mode-locked fiber laser.
Funder
Austrian Science Fund, FWF
Christian Doppler Research Association
The Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
The National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development
NSERC Alliance-Alberta Innovates Advance
Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund
Quantum Major Innovation Fund Project
the Government of Alberta’s Small Equipment Grant
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy
Quantum City