Multiwavelength Erbium-doped fiber laser employing nonlinear polarization rotation in a symmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror

A new multiwavelength Erbium-doped fiber laser is proposed and demonstrated. The intensity-dependent loss induced by nonlinear polarization rotation in a power-symmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) suppresses the mode competition of an Erbium-doped fiber and ensures stable multiwavelength operation at room temperature. The polarization state and its evolution conditions for stable multiwavelength operation in the ring laser cavity are discussed. The number and spectra region of output wavelength can be controlled by adjusting the work states of NOLM.