Wavelength-switchable L-band fiber laser assisted by random reflectors

A wavelength-switchable L-band erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) assisted by an artificially controlled backscattering (ACB) fiber reflector is here presented. This random reflector was inscribed by femtosecond (fs) laser direct writing on the axial axis of a multimode fiber with 50 mu m core and 125 mu m cladding with a length of 17 mm. This microstructure was placed inside a surgical syringe to be positioned in the center of a high-precision rotation mount to accurately control its angle of rotation. Only by rotating this mount, three different output spectra were obtained: a single wavelength lasing centered at 1574.75 nm, a dual wavelength lasing centered at 1574.75 nm and 1575.75 nm, and a single wavelength lasing centered at 1575.5 nm. All of them showed an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of around 60 dB when pumped at 300 mW.

Automated summary

A wavelength-switchable L-band erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) has been achieved with the assistance of an artificially controlled backscattering (ACB) fiber reflector. The reflector was created through femtosecond laser direct writing on a multimode fiber, and its rotation angle was accurately controlled using a high-precision rotation mount. By rotating the mount, three different output spectra were obtained: a single wavelength lasing, a dual wavelength lasing, and another single wavelength lasing. The optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) for all spectra was around 60 dB at a pumping power of 300 mW.