Title :
Erbium-doped fiber laser tuning using two cascaded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers as intracavity filter: numerical analysis and experimental confirmation
Author :
Calvez, Stéphane ; Rejeaunier, X. ; Mollier, P. ; Goedgebuer, J.P. ; Rhodes, W.T.
Author_Institution :
GTL-CNRS Telecom, Metz, France
fDate :
6/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We propose a new method for tuning an Er3+-doped continuous-wave fiber-ring laser. We present a novel numerical model and confirm the model with experimental results. The numerical model relies on the implementation of the analytical solution of signal propagation over small (elemental) segments of amplifier fiber rather than using the usual Runge-Kutta algorithm. The validity of the model is verified by the good agreement between computer results and experimental data. Experiments demonstrating a 11.2-nm wavelength tuning range have been conducted using an electrooptic intracavity filter composed of two cascaded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) integrated in lithium niobate. The numerical analysis shows that the tuning range obtained is limited by the combination of gain shape and filter characteristics. Increased tuning range can be obtained by decreasing losses or by using a more selective filter
Keywords :
Mach-Zehnder interferometers; erbium; fibre lasers; laser tuning; optical communication equipment; optical filters; ring lasers; wavelength division multiplexing; 11.2 nm; Er3+-doped continuous-wave fiber-ring laser; Runge-Kutta algorithm; cascaded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers; electrooptic intracavity filter; erbium-doped fiber laser; filter characteristics; gain shape; intracavity filter; lithium niobate; numerical analysis; selective filter; tuning range; Algorithm design and analysis; Erbium; Erbium-doped fiber lasers; Filters; Laser modes; Laser tuning; Numerical models; Optical propagation; Quantum cascade lasers; Signal analysis;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of