Multiwavelength fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation

Zuxing Zhang, Minghuang Sang, Zhiqing Ye, Qiqiang Kuang, Yiyou Nie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Multiwavelength fiber laser is a perfect light source for future wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communication systems. A multiwavelength fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation with up to 18 wavelengths has been proposed and demonstrated. The intensity- and wavelength-dependent loss induced by nonlinear polarization rotation effect is used to alleviate the mode competition in the homogeneous broadening gain medium of erbium-doped fiber. Instead of traditional filters, a polarization-maintaining fiber is inserted into the laser cavity, with which the polarization-dependent isolator composes an equivalent Lyot birefringent fiber filter. The in-line birefringence fiber filter is used to simplify the laser configuration, which benefits systematic integration. The effect of the 980 nm pump power on the multiwavelength generation is investigated. It is shown that the pump power contributes a lot to the evenness of the multiwavelength spectra due to the intensity dependence of nonlinear polarization rotation effect.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)648-652
Number of pages5
JournalGuangxue Xuebao [Acta Optica Sinica]
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2008

Keywords

  • erbium-doped fiber laser
  • guided-wave and fiber optics
  • multiwavelength fiber laser
  • nonlinear polarization rotation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multiwavelength fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this