Characterization of a self-starting, passively mode-locked fiber ring laser that exploits nonlinear polarization evolution

Abstract

A full characterization of a self-starting, passively mode-locked soliton ring fiber laser in terms of its various modes of mode-locked operation, cavity length, and type of fiber used is presented. Direct evidence, based on state-of-polarization measurements, that nonlinear polarization evolution is the responsible mode-locking mechanism is also given.