Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser

Sergey A. Babin; Atalla E. El-Taher; Paul Harper; Evgenii V. Podivilov; Sergei K. Turitsyn

doi:10.1117/12.907965

Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser

Sergey A. Babin^*, Atalla E. El-Taher, Paul Harper, Evgenii V. Podivilov, Sergei K. Turitsyn

^*Corresponding author for this work

Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

Abstract

As shown recently, a long telecommunication fibre may be treated as a natural one-dimensional random system, where lasing is possible due to a combination of random distributed feedback via Rayleigh scattering by natural refractive index inhomogeneities and distributed amplification through the Raman effect. Here we present a new type of a random fibre laser with a narrow (∼1 nm) spectrum tunable over a broad wavelength range (1535-1570 nm) with a uniquely flat (∼0.1 dB) and high (>2 W) output power and prominent (>40 %) differential efficiency, which outperforms traditional fibre lasers of the same category, e.g. a conventional Raman laser with a linear cavity formed in the same fibre by adding point reflectors. Analytical model is proposed that explains quantitatively the higher efficiency and the flatter tuning curve of the random fiber laser compared to conventional one. The other important features of the random fibre laser like "modeless" spectrum of specific shape and corresponding intensity fluctuations as well as the techniques of controlling its output characteristics are discussed. Outstanding characteristics defined by new underlying physics and the simplicity of the scheme implemented in standard telecom fibre make the demonstrated tunable random fibre laser a very attractive light source both for fundamental science and practical applications such as optical communication, sensing and secure transmission.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Fiber lasers IX
Subtitle of host publication	technology, systems, and applications
Editors	Eric C. Honea, Sami T. Hendow
Place of Publication	Bellingham, WA (US)
Publisher	SPIE
Number of pages	9
ISBN (Print)	978-0-8194-8880-0
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.907965
Publication status	Published - 9 Feb 2012
Event	Fiber lasers IX - San Francisco, CA, United States Duration: 23 Jan 2012 → 26 Jan 2012

Publication series

Name	SPIE proceedings
Publisher	SPIE
Volume	8237
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X

Conference

Conference	Fiber lasers IX
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Francisco, CA
Period	23/01/12 → 26/01/12
Other	Technology, systems, and applications

Bibliographical note

Sergey A. Babin; Atalla E. El-Taher; Paul Harper; Evgenii V. Podivilov and Sergei K. Turitsyn. "Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser", Proc. SPIE 8237, Fiber Lasers IX: Technology, Systems, and Applications, 82373E (February 9, 2012).

Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.907965

Keywords

distributed feedback
Fiber laser
narrow-line
Raman gain
random
Rayleigh scattering
tunable

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10.1117/12.907965

Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser
Sergey A. Babin; Atalla E. El-Taher; Paul Harper; Evgenii V. Podivilov and Sergei K. Turitsyn. "Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser", Proc. SPIE 8237, Fiber Lasers IX: Technology, Systems, and Applications, 82373E (February 9, 2012). Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.907965
Final published version, 1.59 MB

http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1277358

Cite this

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title = "Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser",

abstract = "As shown recently, a long telecommunication fibre may be treated as a natural one-dimensional random system, where lasing is possible due to a combination of random distributed feedback via Rayleigh scattering by natural refractive index inhomogeneities and distributed amplification through the Raman effect. Here we present a new type of a random fibre laser with a narrow (∼1 nm) spectrum tunable over a broad wavelength range (1535-1570 nm) with a uniquely flat (∼0.1 dB) and high (>2 W) output power and prominent (>40 %) differential efficiency, which outperforms traditional fibre lasers of the same category, e.g. a conventional Raman laser with a linear cavity formed in the same fibre by adding point reflectors. Analytical model is proposed that explains quantitatively the higher efficiency and the flatter tuning curve of the random fiber laser compared to conventional one. The other important features of the random fibre laser like {"}modeless{"} spectrum of specific shape and corresponding intensity fluctuations as well as the techniques of controlling its output characteristics are discussed. Outstanding characteristics defined by new underlying physics and the simplicity of the scheme implemented in standard telecom fibre make the demonstrated tunable random fibre laser a very attractive light source both for fundamental science and practical applications such as optical communication, sensing and secure transmission.",

keywords = "distributed feedback, Fiber laser, narrow-line, Raman gain, random, Rayleigh scattering, tunable",

author = "Babin, {Sergey A.} and El-Taher, {Atalla E.} and Paul Harper and Podivilov, {Evgenii V.} and Turitsyn, {Sergei K.}",

note = "Sergey A. Babin; Atalla E. El-Taher; Paul Harper; Evgenii V. Podivilov and Sergei K. Turitsyn. {"}Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser{"}, Proc. SPIE 8237, Fiber Lasers IX: Technology, Systems, and Applications, 82373E (February 9, 2012). Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.907965 ; Fiber lasers IX ; Conference date: 23-01-2012 Through 26-01-2012",

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AU - Turitsyn, Sergei K.

N1 - Sergey A. Babin; Atalla E. El-Taher; Paul Harper; Evgenii V. Podivilov and Sergei K. Turitsyn. "Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser", Proc. SPIE 8237, Fiber Lasers IX: Technology, Systems, and Applications, 82373E (February 9, 2012). Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.907965

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N2 - As shown recently, a long telecommunication fibre may be treated as a natural one-dimensional random system, where lasing is possible due to a combination of random distributed feedback via Rayleigh scattering by natural refractive index inhomogeneities and distributed amplification through the Raman effect. Here we present a new type of a random fibre laser with a narrow (∼1 nm) spectrum tunable over a broad wavelength range (1535-1570 nm) with a uniquely flat (∼0.1 dB) and high (>2 W) output power and prominent (>40 %) differential efficiency, which outperforms traditional fibre lasers of the same category, e.g. a conventional Raman laser with a linear cavity formed in the same fibre by adding point reflectors. Analytical model is proposed that explains quantitatively the higher efficiency and the flatter tuning curve of the random fiber laser compared to conventional one. The other important features of the random fibre laser like "modeless" spectrum of specific shape and corresponding intensity fluctuations as well as the techniques of controlling its output characteristics are discussed. Outstanding characteristics defined by new underlying physics and the simplicity of the scheme implemented in standard telecom fibre make the demonstrated tunable random fibre laser a very attractive light source both for fundamental science and practical applications such as optical communication, sensing and secure transmission.

AB - As shown recently, a long telecommunication fibre may be treated as a natural one-dimensional random system, where lasing is possible due to a combination of random distributed feedback via Rayleigh scattering by natural refractive index inhomogeneities and distributed amplification through the Raman effect. Here we present a new type of a random fibre laser with a narrow (∼1 nm) spectrum tunable over a broad wavelength range (1535-1570 nm) with a uniquely flat (∼0.1 dB) and high (>2 W) output power and prominent (>40 %) differential efficiency, which outperforms traditional fibre lasers of the same category, e.g. a conventional Raman laser with a linear cavity formed in the same fibre by adding point reflectors. Analytical model is proposed that explains quantitatively the higher efficiency and the flatter tuning curve of the random fiber laser compared to conventional one. The other important features of the random fibre laser like "modeless" spectrum of specific shape and corresponding intensity fluctuations as well as the techniques of controlling its output characteristics are discussed. Outstanding characteristics defined by new underlying physics and the simplicity of the scheme implemented in standard telecom fibre make the demonstrated tunable random fibre laser a very attractive light source both for fundamental science and practical applications such as optical communication, sensing and secure transmission.

KW - distributed feedback

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KW - narrow-line

KW - Raman gain

KW - random

KW - Rayleigh scattering

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A2 - Hendow, Sami T.

PB - SPIE

CY - Bellingham, WA (US)

T2 - Fiber lasers IX

Y2 - 23 January 2012 through 26 January 2012

ER -

Broadly tunable high-power random fibre laser

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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Extreme value statistics in Raman fiber lasers

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