Reduced graphene oxide as saturable absorbers for erbium-doped passively mode-locked fiber laser

We demonstrate a nanosecond mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL)based on a reduced graphene oxide(RGO)saturable absorber(SA).The RGO SA is prepared by depositing the graphene oxide(GO)on fluorine mica through thermal reduction of GO.A scanning electron microscope(SEM),Raman spectrometer,and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)are adopted to analyze the RGO characteristics.The results show that the reduction degree of graphene oxide is very high.By embedding the RGO SA into the EDFL cavity,a stable mode-locked fiber laser is achieved with a central wavelength of 1567.29 nm and repetition rate of 12.66 MHz.The maximum output power and the minimum pulse duration are measured to be 18.22 mW and 1.38 ns respectively.As far as we know,the maximum output power of18.22 mW is higher than those of other nanosecond mode-locked oscillators reported.Such a nanosecond pulse duration and megahertz repetition rate make this mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser a suitable seed oscillator for high-power applications and chirped pulse amplifications.     

Nanosecond Pulses Generation with Samarium Oxide Film Saturable Absorber

Nanosecond pulse generation is demonstrated in a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) utilizing a samarium oxide(Sm_2O_3) film. The Sm_2O_3 film exhibits a modulation depth of 33%, which is suitable for modelocking operation. The passively pulsed EDFL operates stably at 1569.8 nm within a pumping power from 109 to 146 m W. The train of generated output pulses has a pulse width of 356 nm repeated at a fundamental frequency of 0.97 MHz. The average output power of 3.91 m W is obtained at a pump power of 146 m W, corresponding to 4.0 nJ pulse energy. The experimental result indicates that the proposed Sm_2O_3 saturable absorber is viable for the construction of a flexible and reliably stable mode-locked pulsed fiber laser operating in the 1.5 m region.     

Nanosecond Pulse Generation with Silver Nanoparticle Saturable Absorber

Nanosecond pulse generation in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) passively mode-locked by a silver nanoparticle(SNP)-based saturable absorber(SA) is experimentally demonstrated. The SA is fabricated by depositing a nanosized SNP layer onto the surface of polyvinyl alcohol film through the thermal evaporation process. By inserting the SA into an EDFL cavity, stable mode-locked operation is achieved at 1561.5 nm with the maximum pulse energy up to 52.3 nJ. The laser operates at a pulse repetition frequency of 1.0 MHz with a pulse width of 202 ns. These results suggest that SNPs could be developed as an effective SA for mode-locking pulse generation.     

A narrow-line Erbium-doped fiber laser and its application for testing fiber Bragg gratings

We inspect the spectral features of a diode-pumped Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) with a Fabry-Perot cavity composed of a wavelength-selective coupler in the form of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and wavelength-insensitive Faraday rotator mirror (FRM). High accuracy for the spectral measurements is provided with the use of an optical heterodyne scheme where the EDFL output is mixed with radiation from a narrow-line semiconductor laser, allowing the detection of the EDFL spectra with a sub-pm resolution. The heterodyne scheme permits precise measurements of the EDFL line-width as a function of the cavity length and pump power. It is worth noticing a narrow-line (a few pm) operation of the EDFL with a short length (<3 m) cavity and low (<5) excess of pump power over the laser threshold. The spectral response of the EDFL to a slow sinusoidal modulation of a physical length of the FBG coupler is analyzed and it is shown that as high as ∼1-nm modulation of the EDFL optical spectrum is attainable at maximal modulation amplitudes. The narrow-line EDFL with a modulated generation wavelength is hereby demonstrated to be a tool for high-resolution measurements of reflection spectra of FBGs, which is to the best of our knowledge a novel application of the EDFL.     

A compact graphene Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser using optical circulator and tunable fiber Bragg grating

We demonstrate a passively Q-switched tunable erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL)based on graphene as a saturable absorber(SA).A three-port optical circulator(OC)and a strain-induced tunable fiber Bragg grating(TFBG)are used as the two end mirrors in an all-fiber linear cavity.The Q-switched EDFL has a low pump threshold of 23.8 mW.The pulse repetition rate of the fiber laser can be widely changed from 9.3 kHz to 69.7 kHz by increasing the pump power from23.8 mW to 219.9 mW.The minimum pulse duration is 1.7μs and the highest pulse energy is 25.4 nJ.The emission wavelength of the laser can be tuned from 1560.43 nm to 1566.27 nm by changing the central wavelength of the straininduced TFBG.     

Zinc-oxide/PDMS-clad tapered fiber saturable absorber for passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser

We propose and demonstrate a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) based on zincoxide/polydimethylsiloxane(Zn O/PDMS) saturable absorber(SA) that evanescently interacts with the light on a tapered fiber. The Zn O/PDMS composite is coated on the whole surface of the tapered fiber to guarantee the maximum efficiency of the SA device, with a measured insertion loss of 0.87 d B and a modulation depth of 6.4%. The proposed laser can generate soliton mode-locking operation at a threshold power of 33.07 m W. The generated output pulse yields a repetition rate and pulse width of 9.77 MHz and 1.03 ps, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed Zn O/PDMS-clad tapered fiber could be useful as an efficient, compatible, and low-cost SA device for ultrafast laser applications.     

FWM-based multi-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser using Bi-EDF

We experimentally demonstrate a simple structure but efficient multi-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) using a 49 cm Bismuth-based erbium-doped fiber (Bi-EDF) as gain medium. The Bi-EDF provides erbium amplification and FWM effect in the cavity to generate a stable multi-wavelength comb operating in C-band region. We have achieved more than 5 lines with peak power of more than −35 dBm and channel spacing of 0.5 nm by incorporating a broadband fiber Bragg grating and polarization controller in the ring cavity.     

Erbium-Doped Zirconia-Alumina Silica Glass-Based Fiber as a Saturable Absorber for High Repetition Rate Q-Switched All-Fiber Laser Generation

We propose and demonstrate a Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) using an erbium-doped zirconiaalumina silica glass-based fiber(Zr-EDF) as a saturable absorber. As a 16-cm-long Zr-EDF is incorporated into a ring EDFL cavity, a stable Q-switching pulse train operating at 1565 nm wavelength is successfully obtained.The repetition rate is tunable from 33.97 kHz to 71.23 kHz by increasing the pump power from the threshold of 26 mW to the maximum of 74 mW. The highest pulse energy of 26.67 nJ is obtained at the maximum pump power.     

Multi-wavelength Q-switched erbium doped fiber laser with a short carbon nanotube based saturable absorber

We demonstrate an all-fiber passively multi-wavelength Q-switched Erbium doped fiber laser (EDFL) based on a short Carbon Nanotube based saturable absorber. With the saturable absorber connected in a longer standing wave based fiber laser cavity, stable single, dual, and multiple wavelength Q-switched low threshold EDFL are achieved. Experimental results show that the output pulse of the filtered single wavelength has the same repetition rate as that of the multi-wavelength output while its average output power is lower than that of the multi-wavelength output.     

基于NICE-OHMS技术进行大气压气样直接检测的理论分析

噪声免疫腔增强光外差分子光谱技术(NICE-OHMS)是目前世界上最灵敏的激光吸收光谱技术,其在低压环境中具有极高的探测灵敏度。然而当测量样品处于大气压时,NICE-OHMS系统的探测灵敏度会大幅下降。主要原因之一是大气压下获取最大NICE-OHMS信号幅度的条件与低气压下不同。通过对大气压NICE-OHMS理论进行分析,分析了影响信号幅度的参数,并通过数值模拟来寻找最佳的实验条件。本文着重讨论影响信号的主要参数包括光学腔腔长L,调制系数β,探测相位θ。其中,由于在NICE-OHMS中使用DeVoe-Brewer技术将调制频率ν_m锁定到Fabry-Parot(FP)腔的自由光谱区(FSR)。因此FP腔的腔长决定了ν_m,同时还作用于信号幅度S■。模拟结果显示,当腔长增大时,由于ν_m随之减小,载波和边带的光谱成分相互重叠部分增大,因此线型函数的幅度逐渐减小。而吸收信号幅度随着腔长的增加而逐渐增加,色散信号幅度先增大后减小,并且在腔长等于8 cm时达到最大值。调制系数β会影响频率调制后激光载波和边带的幅度大小,并且影响信号线型。随着腔长的增加,最大信号幅度对应的β值也随之增加。在相同腔长下,色散信号的最佳β值小于吸收信号,更容易使用电光调制器实现。最后分析了参数的可实现性,分析了不同种类激光器的频率调谐能力,压电陶瓷的扫描宽度等。以乙炔气体为例,大气压下NICE-OHMS的谱线半宽达到~3 GHz,而光谱覆盖范围大于10 GHz。分布反馈式半导体激光器(DFB)与外腔二极管激光器(ECDL)的频率调谐范围可以达到30 GHz以上,但是由于激光线宽宽,得到的PDH锁定性能欠佳。回音壁模式激光器(WGM)和掺饵光纤激光器(EDFL)线宽为百Hz量级,是目前高灵敏NICE-OHMS系统中常用的光源。但是WGM目前可以实现了5 GHz的激光频率调谐范围,而EDFL的外部电压可控制的调谐范围仅为3 GHz。使用精细度为55000的腔进行模拟,调制系数β=1,腔长大于8 cm时,可使用WGM激光器实现,腔长大于25 cm时,可以使用EDFL激光器实现。而对于在设计光学腔中常用的伸缩长度为25μm的PZT,随着腔长的增加,对应的腔模频移范围逐渐减小,在腔长为典型的40 cm时,扫描范围大于12 GHz。     

Optimization of erbium-doped fiber MOPA laser

An erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) constructed in a master oscillator and power amplifier (MOPA) configuration is analyzed. The pump powers for the fiber cavity laser and the booster amplifier stages are managed properly to achieve maximal pump conversion efficiency. Our design achieves a pump conversion efficiency of 91.4%, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 96.6%, for a 1565.8 nm MOPA laser pumped by a total power of 300 mW at 1480 nm. The optimized MOPA laser shows a 25% enhancement in the pump conversion efficiency, compared to a non-MOPA fiber laser. A side lobe suppression ratio of 48 dB for the optimized MOPA laser is observed.     

Passively mode-locked fiber laser with kilohertz magnitude repetition rate and tunable pulse width

We propose and demonstrate a strictly all-fiber, erbium doped passively mode-locked figure-eight fiber laser (EDFL). In the laser structure, we use the nonlinear optical loop mirror combination with a variable ratio coupler (VRC-NOLM) to achieve mode-locking. Due to the nonlinear effect in the nonlinear fiber, stable self-starting pulse is obtained. In order to reduce the repetition of pulse, a segment of nonlinear fiber (NLF) has been incorporated into the VRC-NOLM. The laser generates stable rectangular pulses with a low repetition rate (kilohertz magnitude) by extending the length of the cavity. Furthermore, the output pulse width of the fiber laser can be varied by changing the coupler ratio of the variable ratio coupler.     

All-fiber polarization locked vector soliton laser using carbon nanotubes

We report an all-fiber mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) employing carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composite film. By using only standard telecom grade components, without any complex polarization control elements in the laser cavity, we have demonstrated polarization locked vector solitons generation with duration of ~583 fs, average power of ~3 mW (pulse energy of 118 pJ) at the repetition rate of ~25.7 MHz.     

Mechanism for stable,ultra-flat multiwavelength operation in erbium-doped fiber lasers employing intensity-dependent loss

We study a mechanism to attain stable and ultra-flat multiwavelength oscillations in erbium-doped fiber lasers (EDFLs). The key concept is to introduce intensity-dependent loss (IDL) into the laser cavity, which can effectively suppress the mode competition in the homogeneously broadened gain medium and ensure a uniform power distribution over wavelengths via the gain-clamping effect. The technique was successfully demonstrated by employing a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) in erbium-doped fiber laser cavity. Based on the experimental results, further experimental investigation and theoretical analysis are carried out to show the effectiveness of the gain-clamping mechanism in realizing the multiwavelength operation of the EDFL.     

Dual-wavelength Bi_2Se_3-based passively Q-switching Nd~(3+)-doped glass all-fiber laser

We demonstrate a dual-wavelength passively Q-switched Nd~(3+)-doped glass fiber laser using a few-layer topological insulator Bi_2Se_3 as a saturable absorber(SA) for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The laser resonator is a simple and compact linear cavity using two fiber end-facet mirrors. The SA is fabricated by Bi_2Se_3/polyvinyl alcohol composite film. By inserting the SA into the laser cavity, a stable Q-switching operation is achieved with the shortest pulse width and maximum pulse repetition rate of 601 ns and 205.2 kHz,respectively. The maximum average output power and maximum pulse energy obtained are about 6.6 mW and 38.8 nJ, respectively.     

Theoretical Study on Passively Mode-Locked Fiber Lasers with Saturable Absorber

In this paper, passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber lasers based on saturable absorber (SA) have been theoretically studied. The energetics and pulse properties for different fiber laser cavity configurations have been investigated and the effects of each component (active fiber, passive fiber, and SA) in the laser cavity have been studied. This numerical study takes into account the temporal change in the saturable absorption (dq/dt).The presented simulations could be highly useful for understanding, optimizing, and improving passively mode-locked fiber lasers with SA.     

Nonlinear current－voltage characteristics of sintered tungsten－vanadium oxide

We have studied the densification behaviour, microstructure and electrical properties of WO_3 ceramics with V_2O_5 as the additive ranging from 0.5 to 15mol%. Scanning electron microscopic photos indicated that the grain size of WO_3－V_2O_5 specimens is smaller than that of pure WO_3. The addition of V_2O_5 to WO_3 showed a tendency to enhance the densification rate and to restrict the grain growth. Electrical properties of all specimens were measured for different electrodes at different temperatures. The formation of the grain boundary barrier layer was confirmed by the non-ohmic I－V behaviour. The nonlinear coefficient was obtained at the current density J=0.01, 0.1 and 1mA/cm^2 for a series of WO_3－V_2O_5 samples. The V0.5mol% specimen showed an abnormal phenomenon that the nonlinear characteristics appeared at 350℃ and disappeared at lower and higher temperatures. This implies that it could be applied as a high-temperature varistor. The double Schottky barrier model was adopted to explain the phenomena for the WO_3-V_2O_5 varistors.     

基于微纳光纤-单壁碳纳米管可饱和吸收体的被动调Q掺镱光纤激光器

为实现具有高脉冲能量的调Q脉冲激光输出,利用微纳光纤-单壁碳纳米管复合的方法制备可饱和吸收体,并对基于该类型可饱和吸收体器件的被动调Q掺镱光纤激光器进行研究。采用拉伸法将普通单模石英光纤拉制成微纳光纤,将其与单壁碳纳米管溶液复合,进一步制备成全光纤集成型器件。将该器件置于环形腔掺镱光纤激光器中,利用976 nm半导体激光器作为抽运源。当抽运功率为53 mW时,实现了调Q脉冲激光输出,激光中心波长为1 039 nm。进一步提升抽运功率至76 mW,可获得脉冲宽度为3.1μs、重复频率为25.5 kHz、单脉冲能量为941nJ的调Q脉冲激光输出。研究表明,利用微纳光纤制备的可饱和吸收体器件具有较高的损伤阈值,可用于实现高脉冲能量的激光输出。     

Indium Tin Oxide Coated D-Shape Fiber as a Saturable Absorber for Generating a Dark Pulse Mode-Locked Laser

A dark pulse mode-locked laser is experimentally demonstrated using the indium tin oxide(ITO) coated Dshape fiber as a saturable absorber(SA).Using the polishing wheel technique,a D-shape single mode fiber was fabricated.A 60-nm-thick layer of ITO was deposited over the D-shape fiber using the electron beam deposition method.The SA has a saturation intensity of 40.32 MW/cm~2 and a modulation depth of 3.5%.A stable dark pulse mode-locked laser was observed at a central wavelength of 1559.4 nm with repetition rate 0.98 MHz,pulse width 370 ns and signal-to-noise ratio 61 dB.     

基于光纤激光器的中红外差频多波长激光产生

针对由YDFL和EDFL作为基频光源的QPM-DFG激光系统,利用PPMgLN晶体的色散关系及其温度特性,有效拓宽了QPM波长接受带宽.模拟结果表明,当采用1550和1060 nm波段的EDFL和YDFL分别作为DFG的信号和抽运光源时,对于相同的中红外波段,满足QPM条件所允许的抽运光波长变化范围远大于信号光波长变化范围.当固定信号光波长为1560 nm时,对于给定的晶体温度,1060 nm波段抽运光的QPM接受带宽超过17 nm,对应于中红外差频光带宽可约180 nm.采用多波长YDFL作为抽运源,单 关键词： 差频产生 准相位匹配 多波长中红外 光纤激光器