Passively mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror with semiconductor optical amplifier

We propose a novel passively mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror with semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Its operation principle is based on the creation of a polarization asymmetry between the counter propagating beams, through the use of a SOA and a polarization controller in the loop. Stable pulse train with duration of 2 ns (FWHM) and repetition rate of 257.7 MHz has been experimentally obtained. Theoretical simulation results in well agreement with the experimental results are also presented.