Impact of pulse dynamics on timing jitter in mode-locked fiber lasers

TL;DR

This paper measures and compares the high-frequency timing jitter spectra of different mode-locked fiber laser regimes, revealing how pulse formation mechanisms influence jitter behavior.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental comparison of jitter spectral density across various pulse formation regimes in mode-locked fiber lasers.

Findings

Quantum noise-limited jitter spectra measured up to Nyquist frequency

Measured rms jitter: 1.8 fs (soliton), 1.1 fs (stretched-pulse), 2.9 fs (self-similar)

Distinct jitter spectral behaviors linked to pulse formation mechanisms

Abstract

We investigate the high-frequency timing jitter spectral density of mode-locked fiber lasers in different mode-locked regimes. Quantum noise-limited timing jitter spectra of mode-locked-regime-switchable Yb fiber lasers are measured up to the Nyquist frequency with sub-100 as resolution. The integrated rms timing jitter of soliton, stretched-pulse, and self-similar Yb fiber lasers is measured to be 1.8 fs, 1.1 fs, and 2.9 fs, respectively, when integrated from 10 kHz to 40 MHz. The distinct behavior of jitter spectral density related to pulse formation mechanisms is revealed experimentally for the first time.