Experiment and theory of a novel, multiple wavelength, erbium-doped fiber laser

grantor: University of TorontoFor the first time, four-wave mixing and intracavity spectral slicing is shown to produce simultaneous multiple wavelength laser oscillation in an erbium doped fiber laser. A key application is multiple optical carrier generation for wavelength encoded, light-wave communication systems. The experimental prototype used active modelocking for greater peak powers and thus increased four-wave mixing within the cavity. We report here the experimental demonstration of simultaneous oscillation of 6 wavelength channels with 5 dB variation in power and 45 GHz channel spacing. Numerical simulations based on a split-step Fourier method are presented, agreeing qualitatively with experiment. Simulations indicate we may expect improved temporal pulse profiles with the insertion of an all-fiber, ultrafast saturable absorber.M.A.Sc