Observation of pulsating dissipative solitons in a Mamyshev oscillator

Dissipative solitons (DSs) widely exist in optical systems and mode-locked fiber lasers provide a versatile playground to study their dynamics. Recently, Mamyshev oscillators (MOs), which rely upon a pair of narrow filters with offset passing frequencies, have emerged as a new type of femtosecond fiber lasers. Besides creating high-energy broadband DSs, MOs have been predicted to support periodically pulsating DSs whose observation remains elusive. Here, we present a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation of pulsating DSs in an ytterbium MO. By reducing the filter separation, we observe pulsation in both single-pulse and DS molecule states. The output pulse energy can vary as large as 40 times in our MO. Single-shot spectra measured by the dispersive Fourier transform method further enables the observation of spectral bandwidth breathing and soliton explosion in the pulsation. In addition, pulsation lasting 9 round trips and even a chaotic pulsation state are observed. Numerical simulations based on a lumped vector model qualitatively agree with our observation. Our results enrich pulsating DS dynamics and reveal the impact of filter separation on the stability of MOs.

Automated summary

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of pulsating dissipative solitons (DSs) in an ytterbium Mamyshev oscillator (MO) through experimental and numerical methods. By reducing the filter separation, pulsation in both single-pulse and DS molecule states is observed, with the output pulse energy varying up to 40 times in the MO. Additionally, pulsation lasting 9 round trips, soliton explosion, and even chaotic pulsation state are observed. Numerical simulations based on a lumped vector model agree qualitatively with the experimental observations.