Switchable Dual-Wavelength Mode-Locking of Thulium-Doped Fiber Laser Based on SWNTs.

We experimentally demonstrate switchable dual-wavelength mode-locking of thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL), using single-wall carbon nanotubes as saturable absorber. Due to the cavity birefringence-induced comb filter, switchable mode-locking can be individually realized for the proposed TDFL among three wavelengths of 1947, 1945, and 1943 nm, with almost the same 3-dB spectral bandwidth of 2.2 nm, repetition rate of 13.6 MHz, and pulsewidth of 1.8 ps. Furthermore, after finely adjusting the intra-cavity birefringence, we are able to demonstrate switchable dual-wavelength mode-locking at either 1947/1945 or 1945/1943 nm. The optical spectra of dual-wavelength mode-locking have almost the same characteristics and can maintain stable operation for a long period. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]