Dual-wavelength-switching operation based on optical bistability in pump-bypassed ytterbium-doped fiber laser

The bistable feature of residual pump in a pump-bypassed Yb-doped fiber laser offers the potential to pump Er/Yb co-doped fiber in a bifurcated cavity for the lasing of the 1537 nm line. The results of our proof-of-concept demonstration show that the oscillations at 1040 nm and 1537 nm are operated in the wavelength-switching mode, and this suggests that the combination of optical bistability in a pump-bypassed fiber laser cavity with a bifurcated cavity could be one simple and efficient method for switchable dual-wavelength operation. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.65.Pc; 42.79.Ta