Pulse generation in Yb-doped polarization-maintaining fiber laser by nonlinear polarization evolution*

Abstract

We demonstrate a self-started, long-term stable polarization-maintaining mode-locked fiber laser based on the nonlinear polarization evolution technique. A polarized beam splitter is inserted into the cavity of the linear polarization-maintaining fiber laser to facilitate self-started mode-locking. Pulses with single pulse energy of 26.9 nJ and average output power of 73.9 mW are obtained at the pump power of 600 mW. The transmission characteristics of artificial saturable absorber used in this laser are analyzed theoretically, the influence of the half-wave plate state on mode-locking is discussed, and the mode-locking range is obtained, which is well consistent with the experimental results.