Generalized multistability in a fiber laser with modulated losses

Global analysis of the bifurcation structure of phase space is performed with the use of a theoretical model for an erbium-doped fiber laser. We show that a laser with modulated losses has the property that many competing behaviors are possible and that the system tends to alternate among them. A rich variety of bifurcations is observed as the modulation parameters are varied. The coexistence of multiple attractors that appear in the primary saddle-node bifurcations is reported, and their relation to main laser resonances is discussed.