Switchable narrow linewidth single-longitudinal mode erbium fiber laser by using saturable-absorber filter and cavity loss control

A simple single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber ring laser is proposed and demonstrated at first by using an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) as wavelength filter. Owing to the two sub-ring cavities with different cavity losses, equalized dual-wavelength output can be achieved easily utilizing cavity loss control. The SLM operation is guaranteed by self-injection feedback mechanism under low pump power. In order to improve the dual-wavelength output power, a saturable-absorber (SA) based on a 4 m unpumped EDF is inserted into the main cavity to guarantee the SLM operation under high pump power. The performance of the laser outputs has been experimental studied and all the output wavelengths have a narrow linewidth output.