Abstract

The generation of self-similar parabolic pulses (similaritons) has so far only been obtained in single-pass Raman amplifier configurations [1, 2], or in rare-earth doped fiber lasers [3, 4]. We report here the first demonstration of a mode-locked parabolic pulse fiber laser, which can potentially be run at any wavelength using Raman gain. This new all-fiber ring similariton laser scheme (cf. Fig. 1) has been designed using a full theoretical model. The output similariton pulses have a true parabolic shape, a linear chirp and an energy of 22nJ.

© 2010 Optical Society of America