Nanotube Q-switched low-threshold linear cavity tunable erbium-doped fiber laser

We demonstrate a novel all-fiber nanotube Q-switched low-threshold linear cavity tunable erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). With a compact and low insertion loss carbon nanotube based saturable absorber connected in a linear EDFL cavity, a low pump threshold of 18.57 mW is obtained. The pulse repetition rate can be adjusted from 8.12 to 72.2 kHz by varying the pump power from 18.57 to 118.8 mW. In addition, the emission wavelength can be adjusted from 1545.04 to 1549.99 nm by tuning the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating, which serves as an end mirror of the laser cavity. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America