Time-Domain Traveling Wave Model of Single-Section Quantum Dot Mode-Locked Lasers with Optical Feedback

The optical feedback modulations of a passively mode-locked semiconductor laser with quantum dot structure were investigated in this study. The delay-induced dynamics of QD MLL under the condition of optical feedback have been studied by exploiting a time domain traveling wave(TDTW) model. The conventional TDTW model was improved to make it suitable for studying optical feedback system, especially the system with long external cavity structure. Combing the TDTW model with optical feedback and carrier rate equations, the pulse variation of a single section QD MLL was studied. This new model shows good agreement with the published experimental data. The roundtrip time and local light intensity modulation to the pulse evolution of QD MLL were studied. The results show that when the time for a light to go to and return from external cavity is equal to the integral times of the period of laser pulse without external feedback, resonance will be formed, and the period of pulse sequence is the shortest. The results also show that the stronger the local light intensity modulation is, the shorter the pulse period is.

On the generation of high-quality Nyquist pulses in mode-locked fiber lasers

Nyquist pulses have wide applications in many areas,from electronics to optics.Mode-locked lasers are ideal platforms to generate such pulses.However,how to generate high-quality Nyquist pulses in mode-locked lasers remains elusive.We address this problem by managing different physical effects in mode-locked fiber lasers through extensive numerical simulations.We find that net dispersion,linear loss,gain and filter shaping can affect the quality of Nyquist pulses significantly.We also demonstrate that Nyquist pulses experience similariton shaping due to the nonlinear attractor effect in the gain medium.Our work may contribute to the design of Nyquist pulse sources and enrich the understanding of pulse shaping dynamics in mode-locked lasers.

Integrated heterogeneous silicon/Ⅲ –Ⅴ mode-locked lasers

The mode-locked laser diode has emerged as a promising candidate as a signal source for photonic radar systems,wireless data transmission, and frequency comb spectroscopy. They have the advantages of small size, low cost,high reliability, and low power consumption, thanks to semiconductor technology. Mode-locked lasers based on silicon photonics advance these qualities by the use of highly advanced silicon manufacturing technology. This paper will begin by giving an overview of mode-locked laser diode literature, and then focus on mode-locked lasers on silicon. The dependence of mode-locked laser performance on design details is presented.

975 nm multimode semiconductor lasers with high-order Bragg diffraction gratings

The 975 nm multimode diode lasers with high-order surface Bragg diffraction gratings have been simulated and calcu-lated using the 2D finite difference time domain(FDTD)algorithm and the scattering matrix method(SMM).The periods and etch depth of the grating parameters have been optimized.A board area laser diode(BA-LD)with high-order diffraction grat-ings has been designed and fabricated.At output powers up to 10.5 W,the measured spectral width of full width at half maxi-mum(FWHM)is less than 0.5 nm.The results demonstrate that the designed high-order surface gratings can effectively nar-row the spectral width of multimode semiconductor lasers at high output power.

Collective coherent emission of electrons in strong laser fields and perspective for hard x-ray lasers

Coherent motion of particles in a plasma can imprint itself on radiation.The recent advent of high-power lasers—allowing the nonlinear inverse Compton-scattering regime to be reached—has opened the possibility of looking at collective effects in laser–plasma interactions.Under certain conditions,the collective interaction of many electrons with a laser pulse can generate coherent radiation in the hard x-ray regime.This perspective paper explains the limitations under which such a regime might be attained.

Gigahertz frequency hopping in an optical phase-locked loop for Raman lasers

Raman lasers are essential in atomic physics,and the development of portable devices has posed requirements for time-division multiplexing of Raman lasers.We demonstrate an innovative gigahertz frequency hopping approach of a slave Raman laser within an optical phase-locked loop(OPLL),which finds practical application in an atomic gravimeter,where the OPLL frequently switches between near-resonance lasers and significantly detuned Raman lasers.The method merges the advantages of rapid and extensive frequency hopping with the OPLL’s inherent low phase noise,and exhibits a versatile range of applications in compact laser systems,promising advancements in portable instruments.

Generation and regulation of electromagnetic pulses generated by femtosecond lasers interacting with multitargets

Ultrashort and powerful laser interactions with a target generate intense wideband electromagnetic pulses(EMPs).In this study,we report EMPs generated by the interactions between petawatt(30 fs,1.4×10^(20) W/cm^(2))femtosecond(fs)lasers with metal flat,plastic flat,and plastic nanowire-array(NWA)targets.Detailed analyses are conducted on the EMPs in terms of their spatial distribution,time and frequency domains,radiation energy,and protection.The results indicate that EMPs from metal targets exhibit larger amplitudes at varying angles than those generated by other types of targets and are enhanced significantly for NWA targets.Using a plastic target holder and increasing the laser focal spot can significantly decrease the radiation energy of the EMPs.Moreover,the composite shielding materials indicate an effective shielding effect against EMPs.The simulation results show that the NWA targets exert a collimating effect on thermal electrons,which directly affects the distribution of EMPs.This study provides guidance for regulating EMPs by controlling the laser focal spot,target parameters,and target rod material and is beneficial for electromagnetic-shielding design.

Comprehensive analysis of pure-quartic soliton dynamics in a passively mode-locked fiber laser

The understanding of soliton dynamics promotes the development of ultrafast laser technology. High-energy purequartic solitons(PQSs) have gradually become a hotspot in recent years. Herein, we numerically study the influence of the gain bandwidth, saturation power, small-signal gain, and output coupler on PQS dynamics in passively mode-locked fiber lasers. The results show that the above four parameters can affect PQS dynamics. Pulsating PQSs occur as we alter the other three parameters when the gain bandwidth is 50 nm. Meanwhile, PQSs evolve from pulsating to erupting and then to splitting as the other three parameters are altered when the gain bandwidth is 10 nm, which can be attributed to the existence of the spectral filtering effect and intra-cavity fourth-order dispersion. These findings provide new insights into PQS dynamics in passively mode-locked fiber lasers.

A 54-fs diode-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:LuYSiO_(5) laser

We demonstrate a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:Lu YSiO_(5)(Yb:LYSO)laser with the pulse duration of 54 fs,corresponding to a spectral bandwidth of 25 nm centered at 1062 nm.To the best of our knowledge,this is the shortest pulse duration obtained from Yb:LYSO laser.At the repetition rate of 378.3 MHz,an output power of 111.6 m W is obtained using an output coupler with 0.6%transmittance,which can maintain long-time stable mode-locking more than 13 h.

Antimonene-based saturable absorber for a soliton mode-locked and Q-switched fiber laser in the 2 μm wavelength region

We demonstrate antimonene as a saturable absorber(SA) to generate an ultrafast mode-locked and Q-switched laser in the 2 μm wavelength region. The two antimonene-based SAs were prepared and inserted separately in a thulium–holmiumdoped fiber laser to produce the pulsed laser. Antimonene was coated onto a tapered fiber to generate soliton mode-locked pulses and used in thin-film form for the generation of Q-switched pulses. The mode-locking was stable within a pump power of 267 m W–511 m W, and the laser operated at a central wavelength of 1897.4 nm. The mode-locked laser had a pulse width of 1.3 ps and a repetition rate of 12.6 MHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 64 d B. Q-switched laser operation was stable at a wavelength of 1890.1 nm within a pump power of 312 m W–381 m W. With the increase in pump power from 312 m W to 381 m W, the repetition rate increased to a maximum of 56.63 k Hz and the pulse width decreased to a minimum value of 2.85 μs. Wide-range tunability of the Q-switched laser was also realized within the wavelength range of1882 nm–1936 nm.

Direct Kerr-lens mode-locked Tm:LuYO_(3) ceramic laser

A direct Kerr-lens mode-locked Tm:LuYO_(3)ceramic laser without the aid of any mode-locked starting element is reported for the first time. A pulse duration as short as 259 fs and a maximum average output power of 326 m W are obtained at a repetition rate of 97.1 MHz. The corresponding optical spectrum centered at 2053 nm exhibits a bandwidth of 19.8 nm,which indicates the presence of nearly Fourier transform-limited pulses. Such a Kerr-lens mode-locked Tm:LuYO_(3)ceramic laser is a promising ultrashort pulse source, with both the excellent laser characteristics of Tm:LuYO3and the high-power 790 nm laser diode pumping scheme.

Wavelength switchable mode-locked fiber laser with a few-mode fiber filter

We have proposed and constructed a few-mode fiber(FMF)-based comb filter realized by dislocation splicing a fewmode long-period fiber grating(FM-LPFG) with a single-mode fiber(SMF). From an all-fiber laser with a FMF-based comb filter, the generation of switchable single-, dual-, triple-, and quadruple-wavelength continuous light has been achieved.Moreover, wavelength switchable mode-locked pulses have been obtained with the increased pump power. In the experiment, the output wavelength of the mode-locked fiber laser was changed from 1567.72 nm to 1571.04 nm, while the signal-to-noise(SNR) ratio was maintained above 61 d B. The switchable multiwavelength continuous wave(CW) and mode-locked all-fiber lasers have potentially important applications for fiber sensing, wavelength-division multiplexing(WDM) and signal processing.

Review of low timing jitter mode-locked fiber lasers and applications in dual-comb absolute distance measurement

Passively mode-locked fiber lasers emit femtosecond pulse trains with excellent short-term stability. The quantum-limited timing jitter of a free running femtosecond erbium-doped fiber laser working at room temperature is considerably below one femtosecond at high Fourier frequency. The ultrashort pulse train with ultralow timing jitter enables absolute time-of-flight measurements based on a dual-comb implementation, which is typically composed of a pair of optical frequency combs generated by femtosecond lasers. Dead-zone-free absolute distance measurement with sub-micrometer precision and kHz update rate has been routinely achieved with a dual-comb configuration, which is promising for a number of precision manufacturing applications, from large step-structure measurements prevalent in microelectronic profilometry to three coordinate measurements in large-scale aerospace manufacturing and shipbuilding. In this paper, we first review the sub-femtosecond precision timing jitter characterization methods and approaches for ultralow timing jitter mode-locked fiber laser design. Then, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art dual-comb absolute ranging technology in terms of working principles, experimental implementations, and measurement precisions. Finally, we discuss the impact of quantum-limited timing jitter on the dual-comb ranging precision at a high update rate. The route to highprecision dual-comb range finder design based on ultralow jitter femtosecond fiber lasers is proposed.

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides(WS2 and MoS2)Saturable Absorbers for Mode-Locked Erbium-Doped Fiber Lasers

We demonstrate an ultrafast fiber laser based on transition metal dichalcogenide materials which are tungsten disulfide(WS2) and molybdenum disulfide(MoS_2) as saturable absorber(SA). These materials are fabricated via a simple drop-casting method. By employing WS_2, we obtain a stable harmonic mode-locking at the threshold pump power of 184 mW, and the generated soliton pulse has 3.48 MHz of repetition rate. At the maximum pump power of 250 mW, we also obtain a small value of pulse duration, 2.43 ps with signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of 57 dB.For MoS_2 SA, the pulse is generated at 105 mW pump power with repetition rate of 1.16 MHz. However, the pulse duration cannot be detected by the autocorrelator device as the pulse duration recorded is 468 ns, with the SNR value of 35 dB.

2.8 μm all-fiber Q-switched and mode-locked lasers with black phosphorus

In past years, rare-earth-doped fluoride fiber lasers(FFLs) have developed rapidly in the mid-infrared(mid-IR)region. However, due to the lack of fiber optic devices and challenge of fluoride fiber splicing, most mid-IR FFLs have been demonstrated with free-space optic elements, limiting the advantages of all-fiber lasers for flexible delivery, stability, and compactness. Here, we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first pulsed all-fiber FFL in the mid-IR region. By taking advantage of the integration of black phosphorus flake, stable Q-switched and mode-locked pulses were obtained at 2.8 μm wavelength. We believe that this all-fiber design will promote the application of pulsed FFL in the mid-IR region.

Broadband Fourier-Domain Mode-Locked Lasers

宽带，高速度的打扫波长的激光能实质地在光连贯断层摄影术，化学光谱学，并且光纤的察觉到提高应用。我们报导在大约 90 kHz 操作的 Fourier 域模式锁激光的示范有效在 158 nm 上打扫率用一个单个乐队的图案打扫范围并且用一个唯一的宽带图案越过 1.3 m 在 284 nm 上打扫范围到 1.5 m 波长光谱。一个新奇双察觉的完整范围的 Fourier 域光连贯断层摄影术系统被开发它提供 7 m 轴的分辨率(在空中) 在大约 90 kHz，为镜像的轴的扫描率在一根人的手指和一条非洲的青蛙蝌蚪解决了 Doppler 成像。

Low phase noise hybrid silicon mode-locked lasers

在这份报纸，我们在混合的硅上考察最近的结果有低阶段噪音的一个焦点的锁模式的激光光脉搏产生。带一条高级设计途径去阴沉的阶段噪音，我们为光延期衬里让锁模式的激光到达并且克服材料限制的长在薄片上显示出需要。关键结果包括示范(洞长度 9 厘米)最长，综合在薄片上模式锁了激光， 20 GHz 无线电频率( RF )上的 Lorentzian 噪音的 14 dB 减小信号，并且比调和地使用模式的光 supermode 噪音抑制长锁了的 55 dB 大洞激光，消极地，模式锁了的 10 GHz 有用在薄片上的 15 kHz 线宽的激光所有光反馈稳定。

Polarized operation of Yb^(3+):YAl_3(BO_3)_4 CW and mode-locked lasers

A diode-pumped Yb3+:YAl3(BOa)3(Yb:YAB) laser system was demonstrated with continuous wave (CW) and pulsed output. The polarized CW outputs and femtosecond mode-locked lasers with semiconductor saturable-absorber mirrors (SESAM) at the fundamental wavelength were measured. For the CW output, polarization ratios were 88.1% (for e-ray) and 87.2% (for o-ray). For the mode-locked system, polarization ratio reached 38.5%, and the repetition frequency was 117.6 MHz.

A theoretical and experimental study on all-normal-dispersion Yb-doped mode-locked fiber lasers

We report on a theoretical and experimental study of an all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser, in which nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) is used to realize mode-locking without any dispersion compensation. Based on the coupled nonlinear Schrdinger (CNLS) equation, a model simulating the mode-locked process of an allnormal-dispersion ring fiber laser is developed, which shows that the achievement of stable mode-locking depends on the alignment of the polarization controller (PC) along the fast-polarization axis of the fiber, the birefringence intensity, and the net cavity dispersion. According to the theoretical analysis, stable mode-locked pulses with pulse duration 300 ps and average output power 33.9mW at repetition rate 36MHz are obtained.

Systematical analysis of mode-locked fiber lasers using single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorbers

The output characteristics of the Er-doped mode-locked fiber laser using a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber are investigated theoretically with a nonlinear Schro¨dinger equation and a saturable absorption equation using realistic parameters. Stable self-starting mode-locking pulses are achieved under net normal, net zero, and net anomalous cavity group velocity dispersion(GVD) respectively. A spectrum with a flat top is obtained from the net normal cavity GVD laser while a spectrum with Kelly side-bands is obtained from the net anomalous cavity GVD laser. The characteristics of the pulse duration changing with cavity GVD and modulation depth of the single-walled carbon nanotubes are discussed.The characteristics of the mode-locking pulses from net normal, net zero, and net anomalous cavity GVD mode-locked fiber lasers are compared. These systematical results are useful for designing mode-locked fiber lasers with saturable absorbers made by different kinds of carbon nano-materials.