Frequency comb injection locking of mode locked lasers

TL;DR

This paper investigates the synchronization of mode-locked laser pulse trains to external pulse sources through frequency comb injection locking, providing a detailed analysis of locking conditions and stability.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of frequency comb injection locking in mode-locked lasers, including locking diagrams and stability conditions in the weak injection regime.

Findings

Locking domains depend on frequency and chirp mismatches.

Stable locking requires specific offset frequency stabilization.

Steady states are characterized by fixed phase and time shifts.

Abstract

The two-frequency problem of synchronization of the pulse train of a passively mode locked soliton laser to an externally injected pulse train is solved in the weak injection regime. The source and target frequency combs are distinguished by the spacing and offset frequency mismatches. Locking diagrams map the domain in the mismatch parameter space where stable locking of the combs is possible. We analyze the dependence of the locking behavior on the relative frequency and chirp of the source and target pulses, and the conditions where the relative offset frequency has to be actively stabilized. Locked steady states are characterized by a fixed source-target time and phase shifts that map the locking domain.