Longitudinal structure formation in a nonlinear resonator

A fiber ring resonator, synchronously driven by picosecond pulses, exhibits a spatiotemporal instability. A rapid modulation in the pulse envelope is spontaneously formed and evolves dynamically. This structure may be called one-dimensional optical turbulence. Single-shot detection of these structures is not viable. We report how to obtain experimental information which, when combined with numerical simulation, provides an adequate picture of the processes at work. Intrapulse correlations are studied; they reveal clear differences between dispersion of either sign. Also, they reveal the formation of soliton-like structures in the turbulent regime. A criterion is given that allows the prediction of the degree of complexity.