Abstract

Pulse compression and pulse-train generation are demonstrated by use of kilowatt $580\mathrm{ps}$ pulses generated by a compact $(15\mathrm{cm}\times 3\mathrm{cm}\times 3\mathrm{cm})$ microchip Q-switched laser followed by a fiber Bragg grating. A 12-fold pulse compression to $45\mathrm{ps}$ with five times peak power enhancement is achieved at $1.4\mathrm{kW}$ through soliton effect compression in the fiber grating. At $2.5\mathrm{kW}$, modulational instability leads to a train of high-contrast sub-$100\mathrm{ps}$ pulses. These demonstrations take advantage of the ultrastrong dispersion at frequencies close to the edge of the photonic bandgap. Experimental results are discussed in the context of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and are compared with simulations of the nonlinear coupled-mode equations.

© 2005 Optical Society of America

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