Wavelength dynamics in passive mode-locked fiber laser by using nonlinear polarization rotation technique

We report experimental results of wavelength dynamics in a soliton fiber ring laser passively mode locked by using the nonlinear polarization rotation technique. We find central wavelength of pulses can be tuned by adjusting the polarization controllers due to the fiber birefringence dependence on the light wavelength. The spectrum of pulses generated from that of continuous waves (CW) is also studied. We find the wavelength shifted between the CW and the mode-locked state exhibits hysteresis effect. The mechanism is investigated and it is found the wavelength tuning hysteresis is the combined effects of fiber birefringence and cavity propagation property.

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