Generation of a switchable and tunable rectangular pulse and multi-pulse with different peak powers at the L-band

Abstract

A novel, to our knowledge, L-band erbium-doped fiber laser, utilizing a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) as a mode-locker, is presented in this study. Through precise adjustments of the polarization controllers (PCs), the laser achieves the generation of rectangular pulses with distinct single wavelengths, λ1=1593nm and λ2=1571nm, as well as dual-wavelength operation. The laser’s operational mode can extend further to include harmonic mode-locking (HML). Furthermore, the investigation reveals the emergence of trapezoidal pulses and low-peak-power rectangular pulses within proximity of the conventional rectangular pulses. Notably, the evolutions of these low-peak-power pulses with the pump power also adhere to the peak power clamping (PPC) effect. Remarkably, the relative positioning of these pulses remains consistent across varying pump power levels or harmonic orders. Intriguingly, the evolution of the trapezoidal pulse with respect to pump power stands in stark contrast to that of the h-shaped pulse.