Dissipative rogue wave generation in multiple-pulsing mode-locked fiber laser

Following the first experimental observation of a new mechanism leading to optical rogue wave (RW) formation briefly reported in Lecaplain et al (2012 Phys. Rev. Lett. 108 233901), we provide an extensive study of the experimental conditions under which these RWs can be detected. RWs originate from the nonlinear interactions of bunched chaotic pulses that propagate in a fiber laser cavity, and manifest as rare events of high optical intensity. The crucial influence of the electrical detection bandwidth is illustrated. We also clarify the observation of RWs with respect to other pulsating regimes, such as Q-switching instability, that also lead to L-shaped probability distribution functions.