Generation of High-Peak-Power Femtosecond Pulses in Mamyshev Oscillators: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Mamyshev oscillators (MOs) have attracted significant attention given their potential in yielding ultrafast lasers with high peak power. Based on step-like saturable absorbers and self-similar evolution in the gain fiber, MO technology features an advanced system capable of generating ultrastable femtosecond pulses with ultrahigh peak power. In this review, the principle of MO is presented in terms of their transmission function and tolerance to nonlinear phase shift and recent progress is reported in the advanced output performance of MO, manifested through high peak power, few-cycles, high repetition rate, and supercontinuum generation. MO with various operation wavelengths (1, 1.5, and 2 mu m) are examined, and MO starting methods are fully discussed, followed by a detailed account of diverse potential applications in areas such as biomedical imaging and material processing. Based on current progress, the prospective challenges and future directions of MO are highlighted and discussed.

Automated summary

Mamyshev oscillators (MOs) have shown great potential in producing ultrafast lasers with high peak power. MO technology, based on step-like saturable absorbers and self-similar evolution in the gain fiber, can generate ultrastable femtosecond pulses with high peak power. This review presents the principle of MO, discusses recent progress in advanced output performance, examines different operation wavelengths, and explores potential applications in various fields. The challenges and future directions of MO are also discussed.