A highly stable and switchable dual-wavelength laser using coupled microfiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer as an optical filter. (1st December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jasim, A.A.; Ahmad, H.
• Is Part Of: Optics & laser technology. Volume 97(2017)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01
• Subjects: Tapered fiber -- Mach-Zehnder interferometer -- Dual-wavelength fiber laser -- Switching; Optics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.366
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2017.06.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-3992

Abstract

Highlights: Compact coupled-microfiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer dual-wavelength laser. Constructed by overlapping two single tapered optical fibers. Creates multi-mode interference & spatial mode beating to suppress mode competition. Generates switchable dual-wavelength laser output by polarization adjustment. Four oscillation pairs obtained channel spacing of 1.5 nm, 3.0 nm, and 6.0 nm. Abstract: The generation and switching of dual-wavelength laser based on compact coupled microfiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (CM-MZI) is reported. The CM-MZI is constructed by overlapping two portions of a single tapered optical fiber which has a diameter of 9 μm as to create multi-mode interference and also to produce spatial mode beating as to suppress mode competition in the homogeneous gain medium. The system is able to generate a dual-wavelength laser output that can be switched with the aid of the polarization rotation technique. Four dual-wavelength oscillation pairs are obtained from the interference fringe peaks of the CM-MZI comb filter with a switched channel spacing of 1.5 nm, 3.0 nm, and 6.0 nm. The wavelength spacing is stable at different pump powers. The lasing wavelength has a 3-dB linewidth of about 30 pm and peak-to-floor ration of about 55 dB at a pump power of 38 mW.