Abstract

Passive Mode-locking (PML) of lasers has been a subject of intense research because of the complex non-inear dynamics involved in the self-organization of many laser modes and its relevance to a large number of applications[1]. PML does not require any external modulation and is the preferred approach for generating optical pulses at multi-GHz repetition rates [1] and it is commonly achieved by combining two elements, a laser amplifier providing gain and a saturable absorber acting as a pulse shortening element. A window for amplification is opened around the pulse due to the faster recovery time of the absorption.

© 2007 IEEE