Wavelength-spacing continuously tunable multi-wavelength SOA-fiber ring laser based on Mach–Zehnder interferometer

A Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) which is used as a wavelength-spacing tunable comb filter in a fiber ring laser is built by employing an optical variable delay line (OVDL). Stable multi-wavelength semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-fiber ring laser based on an SOA and the MZI comb filter is achieved. Wavelength spacing can be continuously tuned by adjusting the OVDL and, as an example, multi-wavelength lasing with the wavelength spacing of 0.4, 0.8, or 1.6 nm is demonstrated. The output of the proposed multi-wavelength SOA-fiber ring laser is quite stable at room temperature and the output spectrum can be adjusted by controlling the bias current of the SOA.     

A self-consistent model for a SOA-based fiber ring laser including the mode-locked pulse properties

In this paper, we present a self-consistent model of an optically mode-locked semiconductor fiber ring laser. The fiber laser uses a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as the gain medium, while mode-locking is achieved by its gain modulation, via an external optical pulsed signal. We solved the model analytically developing a novel technique, where we have assumed double saturation of the SOA by both the mode-locked and the externally introduced pulsed signal. The study revealed the locus of the laser parameters to achieve mode-locking. In particular, it was found that SOA gain and energy of the externally introduced signal are two critical parameters that must simultaneously set properly for exact mode-locking. Another outcome of our analysis is that the study of the chirp parameter should be carried out keeping the nonlinear terms of the SOA gain. We have also investigated a slightly detuning regime of operation that revealed a fast change of the mode-locking process.     

A novel actively and passively mode-locked semiconductor optical amplifier fiber ring laser

A novel actively and passively mode-locked semiconductor optical amplifier fiber ring laser was presented, where semiconductor optical amplifier provided cavity gain and introduced nonlinear polarization rotation, whereas, intensity modulator not only acted as modulator but also polarizer. The pulses with duration below 3 ps (FWHM) and peak power about 16 mW at a repetition rate of 10 GHz can be obtained in our system and the system stability may be enhanced. To investigate system parameters effects on mode-locked pulses, a theoretical model was developed.     

Numerical study of a harmonic mode-locked semiconductor optical amplifier fiber ring laser

An improved harmonic mode-locked Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) fiber ring lasers has been presented and numerically investigated based on the self-reproduction theory. The numerical result shows that a narrower optical pulse train with a more symmetrical-temporal shape can be obtained, when the modulation SOA is DC biased on high current, whereas the gain SOA is DC biased on the low current functions as a gain compensator in the experimental setup. Also, the system parameters effects on the characteristic of the harmonic mode-locked pulse have been investigated.     

Stable multiwavelength fiber ring laser with equalized power spectrum based on a semiconductor optical amplifier

We experimentally demonstrated a new structure of a multiwavelength semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) ring laser based on a fiber Sagnac loop filter that can generate up to 25 stable output lasing wavelengths at room temperature. By varying the length of a polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber within the Sagnac loop filter, the wavelength spacing between the output lasing wavelengths can be changed to a desired value. By tuning a polarization controller (PC) within the Sagnac loop filter, stable multiwavelength 1550-nm operation with up to 17 lasing lines within 3 dB power level variation and with a wavelength spacing of ∼0.8 nm was achieved. The optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNRs) of all the lasing wavelengths are greater than 40 dB.     

光纤光栅F-P标准具选模单频环形腔光纤激光器

 讨论了光纤光栅法布里-珀罗(F-P)标准具选模光纤激光器的单频运转原理，并研制了全光纤结构单频掺Er³⁺光纤环形激光器。实验中采用两个976 nm激光二极管双向泵浦作为泵浦源，高掺杂浓度掺Er³⁺光纤作为增益介质，以行波腔消除空间烧孔效应，利用光纤光栅F-P标准具窄带选模特性，当泵浦光功率为36 mW时，得到了稳定的单频激光输出。实验中使用了长5和3 m的掺杂光纤，在泵浦光功率为145 mW时输出功率分别为19和42 mW，光-光转换效率分别为13%和29%，斜率效率分别达到了16%和33%。输出谱线3 dB带宽0.01 nm，无跳模现象。     

All-optical frequency multiplication/recovery based on a semiconductor optical amplifier ring cavity

A novel scheme for all-optical frequency multiplication/recovery based on a semiconductor optical amplifier ring cavity is proposed and investigated numerically. The results show, for a 2.5 GHz driving pulse train, it can be generated 5-25 GHz repetition rate pulse trains with low clock amplitude jitter, polarization independence and high peak power. Furthermore, the extraction of the clock signal from a pseudorandom bit sequence signal can be realized based on the proposed scheme.     

Performance investigation of ring network topology in the presence of semiconductor optical amplifiers

The performance of 60 user ring network topology is investigated in the presence of semiconductor optical amplifiers. This ring network topology is evaluated by considering the signal quality factor, eye closure and received power for different signal input power. Further, this ring network topology is investigated with multiple numbers of spans. It is reported that, the maximum number of nodes supported by this ring network is >300 with acceptable quality and received power.     

超低阈值Q调制，锁模Yb3+光纤环形腔激光器

 在一种掺镱（Yb³⁺）光纤锁模激光器中。谐振腔采用近“8”字形环形结构，并巧妙地引入半导体可饱和吸收镜（SESAM），腔内引入起偏器和偏振控制器，利用非线性偏振旋转的被动锁模机理，结合SESAM慢可饱和吸收体的自启动作用，在极低的泵浦功率下，实现了稳定的调Q脉冲输出和锁模输出。当泵浦功率为18 mW时，调Q脉冲重复频率为16 kHz，脉冲宽度4 μs，光谱宽度为2.34 nm。当泵浦功率为60 mW时，实现了激光器连续锁模，输出功率8 mW，重复频率20 MHz，光谱宽度3.54 nm，脉宽在ps和亚ps量级，而且在调整偏振控制器的角度时，观察到了波长的调谐现象，调谐范围为1 028~1 530 nm。     

Torsion sensing with a fiber ring laser incorporating a pair of rotary long-period fiber gratings

We experimentally demonstrate a fiber ring laser for high-resolution torsion measurement, where the laser cavity consists of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer formed with a pair of long-period fiber gratings written in a twisted single-mode fiber by a CO₂ laser. The emitting wavelength of the laser provides a measure of the rate of the torsion applied to the grating pair, while the direction of the wavelength shift indicates the sense of the applied torsion. The narrow linewidth and the large side-mode suppression ratio of the laser can provide a much more precise measurement of torsion, compared with passive fiber-optic torsion sensors. The torsion sensitivity achieved is 0.084 nm/(rad/m) in the torsion range ± 100 rad/m, which corresponds to a torsion resolution of 0.12 rad/m, assuming a wavelength resolution of 10 pm for a typical optical spectrum analyzer. The ultimate resolution of the sensor is limited by the linewidth of the laser and could be an order of magnitude higher.     

Highly-efficient fully-fiberized mid-infrared differential frequency generation source and its application to laser spectroscopy

Widely-tunable, fully-monolithic, mid-infrared (mid-IR) deference frequency generation source (DFG) is presented. By using a custom designed fiber-pigtailed periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal module the idler beam was generated with an efficiency of 21%/W, yielding 2.6 mW of optical output power. The proposed all-fiber configuration radically simplified the optical frequency conversion setup, making it robust and easily configurable. The usefulness of the constructed source was verified by performing simultaneous wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) laser trace gas detection of methane, near 2999 cm^?1, and ethane, near 2997 cm^?1, via two independently generated, tunable idler beams.     

Alternating approach of implementing frequency encoded all-optical logic gates and flip-flop using semiconductor optical amplifier

In conduction of parallel logic, arithmetic and algebraic operations, optics has already proved its successful role. Since last few decades a number of established methods on optical data processing were proposed and to implement such processors different data encoding/decoding techniques have also been reported. Currently frequency encoding technique is found be a promising as well as a faithful mechanism for the conversion of all-optical processing as the frequency of light remains unaltered after refection, refraction, absorption, etc. during the transmission of light. There are already proposed some frequency encoded optical logic gates. In this communication the authors propose a new and different concept of frequency encoded optical logic gates and optical flip-flop using the non-linear function of semiconductor optical amplifier.     

用于全光缓存的光阈值门理论和实验研究

提出了一种基于光阈值门的全光缓存方案,采用两个非对称的SOA环形腔激光器耦合构成光阈值门,其输出光可以在两种波长上切换,可控制波长转换器实现光包路由,从而将需缓存的数据包路由到缓存端口,避免了复杂的包头处理.建立了光阈值门的理论模型,对10 Gbit/s的光阈值门的动态特性进行了数值模拟和实验研究,实验结果和理论计算结果相符合,实验也表明光阈值门两种输出状态的消光比可达30dB.     

Multiwavelength pulse generation in semiconductor-fiber ring laser using a sampled fiber grating

A novel multiwavelength scheme has been demonstrated using a sampled fiber grating in semiconductor-fiber ring laser. By using semiconductor optical amplifier as an inhomogeneously broadened gain medium, three wavelength channels of 10 GHz are simultaneously generated. The number of the lasing channels can be changed through the polarization state adjustment in the cavity.     

Eleven-wavelength switchable fiber ring laser with a dispersion compensation fiber and a delayed interferometer

We demonstrate a fiber ring laser with a dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) and a delayed interferometer (DI) with temperature control, which is able to switch eleven wavelengths one by one. In ring cavity, DCF supplies different effective cavity lengths for different wavelengths, DI generates a wavelength comb corresponding to the ITU grid, a flat-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) provides uniform gain for each lasting wavelength, and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) not only acts as active modulator, but also alleviates homogeneous broadening effect of EDFA. Stable pulse trains with a pulsewidth about 40 ps at 10 GHz have been obtained by injecting external optical control signals into the laser. Wavelength switching process among eleven wavelengths is achieved by merely tuning an intracavity optical delay line.     

Carrier lifetime variation and its effects on the chaotic behaviors in semiconductor laser

Modeling theoretically the chaotic behaviors of semiconductor lasers, the carrier lifetime is usually treated as a constant (in this paper, it is called as the constant carrier lifetime assumption (CCLA)). In this paper, after considering the actually recombination mechanism of the carriers in the semiconductor, the variation of the carrier lifetime with the time has been obtained, and the chaotic characteristics of semiconductor laser with optical feedback have been investigated numerically. The obtained results have been compared with those obtained with CCLA, and the obvious differences can be observed.     

Influence of the bias current on the output characteristics of a mode-locked fiber ring laser consisting of two SOAs

In this paper, after obtaining the mode-locked pulse shape with self-reproduction theory, the influence of the bias current on the output characteristics of a backward-optical-injection harmonic mode-locked fiber ring laser consisting of two semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) has been numerically investigated. The results show that the mode-locked pulse with high peak power and narrow width can be obtained through reasonably adjusting the bias currents of the two SOAs.     

Wavelength stabilized 980 nm uncooled pump laser modules for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

We review the development of wavelength stabilized 980 nm pump laser modules without active temperature stabilization for applications in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Operation over a wide temperature range with an output power exceeding 400 mW at an ambient temperature of 70°C is demonstrated. The overall reliability of uncooled modules is estimated to be well below 500 FIT at all operating conditions. Such devices are made possible by continuous development and steady improvement of the pump laser chip, the optimization of the fiber Bragg grating stabilization scheme, careful design of the module package, and extended reliability analysis on the basis of stress tests as well as field data.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of a high repetition rate fiber laser, mode-locked by external optical modulation

An experimental and theoretical study of a high repetition rate laser source operating on a novel mode-locking technique is presented. This technique relies on the fast saturation and recovery of a semiconductor optical amplifier induced by an external optical pulse and has been used to obtain 4.3 ps pulses at 20 GHz. A complete mathematical model of the fiber ring laser is presented describing the mode-locking process in the laser oscillator and providing solutions for the steady-state mode-locked pulse profile. The critical parameters of the system are defined and analyzed and their impact on the formation of the mode-locked pulses is examined. The comparison between the theoretical results and the experimental data reveals very good agreement and has allowed the optimization of the performance of the system in terms of its critical parameters.     

Four-wave mixing in dual wavelength fiber laser utilizing SOA for wavelength conversion

In this paper, a novel configuration of a wavelength converter is set forth by utilizing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as a nonlinear gain medium to generate a four-wave mixing (FWM) effect by using a dual wavelength bi-erbium-doped fiber laser that uses an Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) together with two optical channel selector (OSC) as selective elements to function as a dual wavelength switchable pump power. The four-wave mixing (FWM) is produced with a wavelength detuning of 7 nm from the pump and signal which used is as the converted signal at wavelength 1532.8 nm or 1534.5 nm for transferring data from the input signal at wavelength 1547.0 nm. Thus, even though the conversion efficiency is as low as −43 dB, it is still possible for applications as a wavelength converter.