30 GHz picosecond pulse generation from actively mode-locked erbium-doped fibre laser

Ultrafast picosecond optical pulse generation by harmonic mode-locking of an erbium-doped fibre ring laser is successfully demonstrated. A Ti:LiNbO3 electro-optical modulator driven by a 15 GHz RF signal is used as the mode-locker. Transform-limited pulses with a duration of 7.6 ps arc achieved at a repetition rate of 30 GHz.