Mode-locked oscillators in the positive and negative dispersion regimes: scenarios of destabilization

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spectral modulation of dispersion and loss affects the stability of mode-locked oscillators in positive and negative dispersion regimes, supported by experimental validation.

Contribution

It provides new insights into stabilizing soliton oscillators near zero dispersion and explores chaotic and stable coexistence regimes in positive dispersion.

Findings

Stable soliton oscillators near zero-dispersion wavelength with specific spectral modulation.

Chaotic mode-locking observed near zero positive dispersion.

Experimental confirmation with Cr:YAG oscillator.

Abstract

We analyze the influence of spectrally modulated dispersion and loss on the stability of mode-locked oscillators. In the negative dispersion regime, a soliton oscillator can be stabilized in a close proximity to zero-dispersion wavelength, when spectral modulation of dispersion and loss are strong and weak, respectively. If the dispersion is close to zero but positive, we observe chaotic mode-locking or a stable coexistence of the pulse with the CW signal. The results are confirmed by experiments with a Cr:YAG oscillator.