Ultrafast mid-infrared fiber laser mode-locked using frequency-shifted feedback

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel method for generating ultrashort mid-infrared pulses from a holmium-praseodymium co-doped fluoride fiber laser using an acousto-optic modulator for mode-locking, achieving sub-5 ps pulses at 2.86 μm.

Contribution

It introduces the use of frequency-shifted feedback via an acousto-optic modulator as a new mode-locking technique for mid-infrared fiber lasers, expanding design options.

Findings

Achieved sub-5 ps pulse duration

Generated 10 nJ pulses at 2.86 μm

Repetition rate of 30.1 MHz

Abstract

We demonstrate ultrashort pulse generation from a fluoride fiber laser co-doped with holmium and praseodymium. To date the majority of work focused on short pulse generation from this class of fiber laser has employed loss modulators in the cavity, both real and artificial. In this work we alternatively employ a frequency shifting element: an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) in the cavity. This results in mode-locked output of sub-5 ps pulses with 10 nJ of energy at a center wavelength of 2.86 {\mu}m, and a pulse repetition frequency of 30.1 MHz, equating to a peak power of 1.9 kW. Additional experimental investigation of the relationship between frequency shift and cavity round trip offer insight into the complex underlying dynamics. As a complementary mode-locking technique to conventional loss modulation, this method of pulse formation may greatly expand the design flexibility of pulsed mid-infrared fiber lasers.