Self-protecting nonlinear compression in a solid fiber for long-term stable ultrafast lasers at 2 mu m wavelength

Stutzki, Fabian; Gaida, Christian; Gebhardt, Martin; Jauregui, Cesar; Limpert, Jens; Tünnermann, Andreas and Pupeza, Ioachim (2017): Self-protecting nonlinear compression in a solid fiber for long-term stable ultrafast lasers at 2 mu m wavelength. In: Fiber Lasers Xiv: Technology and Systems, Vol. 10083, 100830D

Abstract

Ultrashort-pulse laser systems are an enabling technology for numerous applications. The stability of such systems is especially crucial for frequency metrology and high precision spectroscopy. Thulium-based fiber lasers are an ideal starting point as a reliable and yet powerful source for the nonlinear conversion towards the mid-IR region. Recently, we have demonstrated that nonlinear self-compression in a fused silica solid-core fiber allows for few-cycle pulse duration with up to 24 MW peak power using a high-repetition rate thulium-based fiber laser system operating at around 2 mu m wavelength [1]. This experiment operates near the self-focusing limit of about 24 MW for circular polarization, which increases the requirements for the system stability due to the risk of a fiber damage. Here, we present a self-protecting nonlinear compression regime allowing for long-term operation and high output-pulse stability with very similar output performance.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• Language: English