Ultrafast light-controlled optical-fiber modulator

Abstract

We report the ultrafast operation of a light-controlled optical-fiber modulator, driven by subpicosecond, compressed, and amplified (6000 Å) dye laser pulses, controlling frequency-doubled (5320 Å) yttrium aluminum garnet laser pulses. The operation of the modulator is based on the optical Kerr effect, and its main component is 7 mm of single-mode optical fiber. Using this system as a light-controlled shutter, we produced either 0.4 ps green light pulses or 0.5 ps holes on the much longer duration second harmonic pulses.