Versatile pulses and dynamic evolution in a 1.7-μm ultrafast Tm-doped fiber laser

In this study, we have demonstrated the generation and observation of various pulse regimes in a 1.7-μm ultrafast thulium-doped all-fiber laser. In addition to stable single-pulse operation, two ordered types of multiple solitons, and chaotic pulses have been obtained at an appropriate polarization state with the increment of pump power. These pulse regimes operated across a wide range of pump powers and covered nearly the entire adjustable range of the pump power. When the pump power properly increased, the pulse regime evolved and reached the average output energy of approximately 11.64 nJ at the maximum pump power. These results highlight the versatility of the 1.7-μm fiber laser in controlling pulse modes, energy, and stability, and demonstrate its potential as a multifunctional light source for applications in biomedical imaging and optical communications.