Nearly arbitrary pulse shaping in mode-locked gain-modulated SOA-fibre laser

The work presents for the first time generation of complex optical waveforms in a hybrid mode-locked fibre-semiconductor laser. We experimentally show that with mode locking by synchronous pumping of the semiconductor active medium, almost arbitrary temporal pulse profiles are possible by appropriate shaping of the electric pumping pulses. Discussed are limitations and possibilities of electro-optical pulse shape transfer in mode-locked lasers on a nano- and micro-second duration scales and the prospect of shorter time scales. Demonstrated generation of stable periodic optical waveforms with specified structure opens up the potential of new laser sources with widely controllable pulse shape for research and practical applications.