Abstract

We demonstrate a robust and low-noise all-polarization-maintaining (PM) nonlinear-amplifying-loop-mirror (NALM) mode-locked Er-fiber laser based on a $3\times 3$ coupler. Since the $3\times 3$ coupler generates 120-deg phase bias, the $3\times 3$ PM-NALM laser can easily acquire mode-locked state even without any additional phase biasing components. In our experiment, the initiation of mode-locking required at least 1.5 times less pump power compared to the similar-structured $2\times 2$ PM-NALM laser. The minimum relative-intensity noise (RIN) level reaches $-155\mathrm{dB}/\mathrm{Hz}$ with an integrated rms RIN of 0.0022% [10 Hz–1 MHz], which corresponds to one of the lowest integrated relative intensity noise (RIN) from any free-running mode-locked lasers. The laser also features very robust operation against mechanical vibrations. Stable mode-locked operation is maintained for more than 60 min even in continuous $1.5{\mathrm{g}}_{\mathrm{rms}}$ vibrations.

© 2019 Optical Society of America

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