A Multi-Format, Multi-Wavelength Erbium-Doped Fiber Ring Laser Using a Tunable Delay Line Interferometer

Abstract

This work demonstrates the use of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), a tunable bandpass filter (TBF), and a tunable delay line interferometer (TDLI) to form a ring laser that produces multi-format, multi-wavelength laser beams. The TDLI serves as the core of the proposed laser generation system. TDLI harnesses the weak Fabry–Pérot (FP) interferences generated by its built-in 50/50 beamsplitter (BS) with unalterable filtering characteristics and the interferences with free spectral range (FSR) adjustable from each of its two outputs with nearly complementary phases to superpose and generate a variable interference standing wave. The interferometric standing wave and weak FP interferences are used to form a spatial-hole burning to promote the excitation of multi-format and multi-wavelength lasers. The proposed system enables dual-wavelength spacing ranging from 0.3 nm to 3.35 nm, with a switchable wavelength position at approximately 1527 nm to 1535 nm, providing flexible tunability.

Keywords

• multi-wavelength lasers
• erbium-doped fiber amplifier
• fiber ring laser
• tunable delay line interferometer
• spatial hole-burning
• Fabry–Pérot interference