High repetition rate multi-similariton laser

Abstract

We present the numerical demonstration of an harmonically mode-locked multi-similariton laser supporting a low jitter, stable train of self similar high repetition rate pulses exploiting, as mode-locking mechanism, the principle of dissipative Faraday instability (DFI) induced by zigzag modulation of spectral losses [1, 2]. At variance with the theoretical and experimental studies on the DFI [1, 2], where the amplification was distributed along the fiber, we propose here a lumped amplification scheme suitable for a more flexible design of mode-locked lasers pumped by rare-earth gain medium (Erbium, Ytterbium). We have considered an unidirectional all normal dispersion ring resonator with two lumped amplifying sections separated by two passive nonlinear dispersive fibers. Just before each amplifying section is located a spectral filter. The two filters differ by having the transmittance profile respectively blue- and red-detuned relatively to the amplifiers central frequency. The detuned spectral filters provide the necessary periodic zigzag modulation of the spectral losses needed to trigger the DFI. The CW operation of the laser is unstable and the growth of spectral sidebands results in a temporal modulation of the field temporal profile leading to the formation of a pulse train with repetition rate corresponding to the instability frequency around 0.1 THz and pulse duration of about 3 ps. Propagation in the fibers has been modeled using the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the lumped amplification by a saturable gain term with spectral bandwidth typical of rare-earth amplifiers.