From signal processing of telecommunication signals to high pulse energy lasers: the Mamyshev regenerator case

Abstract

We look back at many challenges as well as unexpected successes encountered by the Mamyshev optical regenerator, which combines spectral broadening from self-phase modulation followed by offset bandpass filtering. Initially developed for ultra-fast all-optical processing of optical telecommunications signals, the Mamyshev regenerator has become most useful in the field of high-power fiber lasers. Implemented from optical fibers, the Mamyshev regenerator is compatible with integration on an optical chip, and excellent prospects are open for this polyvalent technology.

Keywords: Mamyshev regenerator; nonlinear signal processing; ultrafast photonics; ultrashort lasers.

Figure 1:

Principle of the Mamyshev regenerator. (a) Schematic of the Mamyshev regenerator and associated variables; EDFA – erbium-doped fiber amplifier; OBPF – optical bandpass filter. (b) Input and output pulses with different power levels are shown in the temporal domain, while their evolution within the nonlinear segment is shown in the frequency domain. (c) Typical transmission function of the MR.

Figure 2:

Some evolutions of the MR: (a) double stage device aimed at restoring the initial wavelength. (b) Double-pass configuration, (c) 4 wavelength regenerator, (d) MR including distributed Raman amplification, (e) MR combined with repolarization process. EDFA – erbium-doped fiber amplifier; OBPF – optical bandpass filter; CIRC – optical circulator; PM HNLF: Polarization maintaining highly nonlinear fiber; PBC – polarization beam combiner; CW – continuous wave. Setups have been discussed in [34], [38], [41], [42].

Figure 3:

Properties observed after propagation in a chain of MRs. (a) Depending on the input pulse peak power and duration, the pulse disappears (black region) or converges toward the eigen pulse (white region). (b) Example of eigen pulse: the temporal chirp and intensity profile. (c) Peak power of the eigen pulses according to one property of the MR, i.e., the nonlinear fiber length. Results are adapted from [54].

Figure 4:

Regenerative self-pulsating source. (a) Experimental setup of the self-pulsating cavity proposed by Rochette et al. EDFA – erbium-doped fiber amplifier; OBPF – optical bandpass filter; CIRC – optical circulator; HNLF: 1-km normally dispersive highly nonlinear fiber; OC – optical output coupler. (b) Intensity autocorrelation profile of the output pulse. (c) Oscilloscope trace stressing that the generation of the pulse appears aperiodically. Results are adapted from [55].

Figure 5:

Mamyshev regenerator as the key of a new high-power fiber laser architecture. (a) Schematic diagram of the first experimental Mamyshev laser architecture. YDFA – ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier; OBPF – optical bandpass filter; LD – laser diode; M – mirror; WDM – wavelength division multiplexer. (b) Experimental setup used in the work of Wise’s group; PBS – polarization beam splitter. (c) Output pulse properties for a pulse energy of 49 nJ: optical spectra and autocorrelation. Results are adapted from [78] and [79].

Figure 6:

On chip MR devices (a) on a chalcogenide chip, (b) on a silicon chip. The component architectures are sketched in panels (1), and the resulting transfer functions are provided in panels (2). Results are adapted from [119] and [120].