Abstract

The soliton laser¹ is a novel mode-locked device employing a length of single-mode fiber in its feedback loop. Its pulse width can be made to have any desired value, down to a small fraction of a picosecond, through choice of the fiber’s length. Operation is based on the ability of single-mode fibers, in the region (λ> 1.3 µm) of negative group-velocity dispersion, to support periodic soliton pulses, as well. as to narrow broader-pulses of the same energy.^2,3 As the fiber is the all-important control element, pulse shape and width are largely independent of factors, such as details of gain dynamics and pump pulse width, that are normally of prime importance in mode-locked lasers.

© 1984 Optical Society of America