Generation and observation of noise-like pulses in an ultrafast fiber laser at 1.7 μm

Abstract

In this manuscript, we demonstrate the generation and real-time dynamics of noise-like pulses (NLPs) in a 1.7 μm ultrafast thulium-doped fiber laser with all-fiber structure. NLPs with a central wavelength of ∼ 1742.5 nm and a 3-dB spectral width of ∼ 10.95 nm could be observed with pulse energy up to 4.19 nJ. The dynamic characteristics of NLPs were explored by using time-stretch dispersive Fourier transformation technology, which shows that the NLPs actually consist of many chaotic small pulse envelopes with random and changeable energies. These experimental results indicate that NLPs are the intrinsic features of fiber lasers and hold significant importance for further academic research, which can contribute to the development and application of 1.7 μm fiber laser in fields such as biomedicine and short-range remote sensing.