Ultralow-noise mode-locked fiber lasers and frequency combs: principles, status, and applications

We review the most recent progress in ultralow-noise mode-locked fiber lasers and fiber-based frequency-comb sources. With the rapid progress in theory, measurement, and control of noise in passively mode-locked fiber lasers, we have reached the point where the residual carrier–envelope-offset phase jitter (when stabilized) and pulse timing jitter performance of such laser sources can be fully optimized to the unprecedented levels of attoseconds regime. In this paper, first, major principles in building such low-noise passively mode-locked fiber lasers are reviewed. We then define noise in mode-locked fiber lasers and present the basic theoretical and numerical framework for analyzing the noise in mode-locked…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 61535009, 11274239
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: 2012R1A2A2A01005544, 2013M1A3A3A02042273