A controllable noise-like operation regime in a Yb-doped dispersion-mapped fiber ring laser

We report the generation of tunable high-energy noise-like pulses with a super-broadband spectrum from a Yb-doped dispersion-mapped fiber ring laser. Self-starting noise-like operation can be maintained over a relatively large range of pumping powers (4–13 W). The corresponding output power varies from 0.1 to 1.45 W. The maximum 3 dB spectral bandwidth of the noise-like pulses is about 48.2 nm while the output energy is as high as 47 nJ, limited by optical damage of the components. The central wavelength of the noise-like pulses can be tuned easily over ~12 nm. The bandwidth and duration of the generated wave packets can also be controlled. The use of a negative dispersion-delay line and spectral filter are found to be important for generating such high-power noise-like operation. Experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical simulations.