Generation of high-energy and low-repetition rate hybrid pulses from a passively mode-locked Tm-Ho co-doped laser

This study presents a passively mode-locked Tm-Ho co-doped fiber laser at around 1840 nm with a low-repetition rate and high pulse energy. The laser delivers pulses at 93 kHz and produces a pulse energy of 18.5 nJ at 0.55 W pump power when the cavity length is 2.21 km. When the pump power is increased, high order of repetition rate outputs are observed. By a comparison of the spectra at various pump power levels indicates that the laser can be operated at hybrid multi-wavelength soliton mode-locking, depending on the pumping intensity. With the increase in pump power, single-wavelength soliton mode-locking and simultaneous of single- and dual-wavelength soliton mode locking are also observed. Besides, the system produces a laser at 1417 nm, which is induced by two-step absorption and the consequent stimulated emission. The low-repetition rate and high-pulse energy fiber laser at around 1840 nm has potential applications in sensing, processing, and surgery research.