Abstract
A self-seeding phenomenon is forecasted in a pulse-pumped Er:ZBLAN fiber laser. A non-zero lasing power, serving as a seeding power for subsequent output pulse, between two adjacent output pulses, will appear in a pulse-pumped Er:ZBLAN fiber laser when the average pump power is increased to a certain value. The seeding power plays an essential role for the transformation of gain-switching operation to quasi-continuous-wave (QCW) operation in a pulse-pumped Er:ZBLAN fiber laser, and is responsible for the suppression of chaotic spikes in the output QCW pulse as well. Under certain conditions, moreover, stable QCW output pulses are expected to be generated in pulse-pumped the Er:ZBLAN fiber laser with the assistance of the self-seeding power. The pulse-pumped Er:ZBLAN fiber laser, referred to as a self-seeded Er:ZBLAN fiber laser, has great potential for stable QCW pulse generating with nearly the same duration and temporal profile as those of pump pulse.