The detuning characteristics of rational harmonic mode-locked semiconductor optical amplifier fiber-ring laser using backward optical sinusoidal-wave injection modulation

Abstract

The modulation waveform, power, and frequency detuning dynamics of a semiconductor optical amplifier fiber-ring laser (SOAFL) harmonic and rational-harmonic mode-locked by using backward injection of a large-signal sinusoidal-wave modulated Fabry-Perot laser diode (FPLD) are studied. The shortest pulsewidth of 53.3 ps at 1 GHz with spectral linewidth of 0.09 run at modulation power of 17 dBm can be obtained, which corresponds to a time-bandwidth product of 2.8. The threshold modulation power and the maximum frequency detuning range for harmonic mode-locking of the SOAFL are 11.5 dBm and 180 kHz, respectively. The mode-locked SOAFL gradually recovers back to sinusoidal-wave modulation mode at the detuning frequency beyond +/- 400 kHz. The pulse broadening slopes for the positive- and negative-frequency detuning regions of 0.48 and 0.375 ps/kHz are,determined, respectively. By enlarging the modulating power and detuning the modulation frequency of FPLD, the SOAFL can be rational-harmonic mode-locked up to 12 GHz with 33-ps pulsewidth.