Stable gain-switched thulium fiber laser with 140 nm tuning range

摘要

We demonstrate a gain-switched thulium fiber laser that can be continuouslytuned over 140 nm, while maintaining stable nanosecond single-pulse operation.To the best of our knowledge, this system represents the broadest tuning rangefor a gain-switched fiber laser. The system simplicity and wideband wavelengthtunability combined with the ability to control the temporal characteristics ofthe gain-switched pulses mean this is a versatile source highly suited to awide range of applications in the eye-safe region of the infrared, includingspectroscopy, sensing and material processing, as well as being a practicalseed source for pumping nonlinear processes.