Wavelength-tunable thulium-doped single mode fiber laser based on the digitally programmable micro-mirror array

•We propose a wavelength-tunable thulium-doped fiber laser with a digitally controlled micro-mirror array device.•The fast and flexible lasing wavelength switching property was achieved.•The proposed laser provides 24% slope efficiency and a narrow output linewidth of 0.03 nm.•The operating wavelength is continuously tunable over near 1.9 μm wavelength range.

We propose a wavelength-tunable thulium-doped single mode fiber laser with a digitally controlled micro-mirror array device. The fast and flexible lasing wavelength switching property was achieved by the pixelated spatial modulation of the micro-mirror array. The proposed laser provides a maximum output power of 160 mW with 24% slope efficiency and a narrow output linewidth of less than 0.03 nm. The operating wavelength is continuously tunable from 1863 nm to 1937 nm with a wavelength selectivity accuracy of less than 0.4 nm and a fast switching time of ∼75 μs.