Abstract

Dual-wavelength operation of passively- mode-locked solid-state lasers has recently gained considerable attention. The work has focused on Ti:sapphire lasers^1,2 and Er³⁺ fiber lasers.^3,4 Lack of controllability in these systems stems from homogeneous broadening of Ti:sapphire (leading to gain competition) and from problems with polarization fluctuations in the Er³⁺-fiber-laser cavity.^3,4 In addition, the Er³⁺-fiber-laser cavities did not allow for an independent tuning of the repetition rate of the two wavelengths. This asynchronous operation is not applicable to the Ti:sapphire systems unless two regions are pumped separately.

© 1995 Optical Society of America