Additive Pulse Mode-Locking Using a Birefringent Optical Fiber

Authors

Sandra F. Feldman, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B. A. Moore, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Doreen A. Weinberger, University of Michigan, Ann ArborFollow
Herbert G. Winful, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-15-1994

Publication Title

Optics Communications

Abstract

A powerful and increasingly common method to mode-lock a variety of lasers is additive pulse mode-locking (APM). In this technique, a nonlinear medium is placed in an external cavity which is coupled to the main laser cavity. As a result of interference at the common mirror between the pulses returning from each cavity, significant pulse shortening may be obtained. Optical fiber is often used as the nonlinear medium, and polarization effects and fiber birefringence are generally neglected. A computer model has been developed in order to simulate the effect of using a birefringent fiber. The simulations indicate that although the birefringence often has little qualitative effect on the system, in certain cases the birefringence may be exploited for enhanced mode-locking.

Volume

105

Issue

1-2

First Page

113

Last Page

124

DOI

10.1016/0030-4018(94)90303-4

ISSN

00304018

Rights

© 1994.

Comments

Archived as published.

Recommended Citation

Feldman, Sandra F.; Moore, B. A.; Weinberger, Doreen A.; and Winful, Herbert G., "Additive Pulse Mode-Locking Using a Birefringent Optical Fiber" (1994). Physics: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/phy_facpubs/106