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Automated characterization and alignment of passively mode-locked fiber lasers based on nonlinear polarization rotation

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Abstract

We present for the first time to the best of our knowledge a computerized characterization and alignment scheme of an erbium all-fiber laser passively mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation. This scheme can replace the common trial and error alignment procedure with manual polarization controllers and therefore greatly reduce the time to start up an ultrashort pulsed fiber laser. Based on the mode-locking maps generated by automated characterization we also demonstrate reproducible selection of pulses with different pulse durations and central wavelengths. These settings were stable over several days allowing us to choose that pulsed operation mode that is more advantageous for a specific application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Physics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Corrensstr. 2, 48149, Münster, Germany

    T. Hellwig, T. Walbaum, P. Groß & C. Fallnich

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  1. T. Hellwig
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  2. T. Walbaum
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  3. P. Groß
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  4. C. Fallnich
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Correspondence to T. Hellwig.

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Hellwig, T., Walbaum, T., Groß, P. et al. Automated characterization and alignment of passively mode-locked fiber lasers based on nonlinear polarization rotation. Appl. Phys. B 101, 565–570 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-010-4224-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-010-4224-2

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