Relocking and Locking Range Extension of Partially Locked AMLL Cavity Modes with Two Detuned RF Sinusoids

Abstract

Actively mode-locked fiber ring lasers (AMLLs) with loss modulators are used to generate approximately 100ps pulses with 100MHz repetition. RF detuning around the fundamental frequency, f0, causes a loss in phase lock (unlocking) of cavity modes and partial mode locking. Multiple RF inputs are shown, theoretically, to relock and extend the locking range of cavity modes in a detuned partially mode-locked AMLL. A custom-built Yb3+-doped AMLL with f0=26MHz, and operating wavelength of 1064nm, was used to experimentally verify the theoretical predictions. Two RF sinusoidal signals with constant phase and equal amplitude resulted in an extension of the range by Xn=6.4kHz in addition to the range Rn=14.34kHz with single input for the mode n=10. An increase in locking range was also observed for higher modes. Pulsewidth reduction to approximately 205ps from about 2ns was also observed in the AMLL.

Keywords

• fiber lasers
• mode locking
• active mode locking
• partial mode locking
• laser cavity resonators
• laser mode locking