Multiwavelength Dispersion-Tuned Actively Mode-Locked Erbium-Doped Fibre Ring Laser with Gain Competition Suppression

Multiwavelength dispersion-tuned actively mode-locked erbium-doped fibre ring laser is demonstrated by incorporating a section of highly nonlinear fibre (HNLF) in the laser cavity. The HNLF and the time gate element (modulator) in the fibre laser successfully suppress the gain competition in the erbium-doped fibre, and thus enable multiwavelength operation. Simultaneous generation of 10GHz pulses up to eight different wavelengths is achieved. Wavelength, spacing and modes number tuning are investigated by changing fibre cavity length, dispersion, and erbium-doped fibre amplifier power, respectively.