Switchable dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber-ring lasers using a fiber Bragg grating in high-birefringence fiber

A simple switchable dual-wavelength Er-doped fiber-ring laser using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written in high-birefringence (HiBi) fibers is proposed. Due to the two-peak reflections with orthogonal polarization of the FBG, the polalization hole-burning effect in the cavity is greatly enhanched. Experimental results show that a stable dual- wavelength loser with very close wavelength separation (0.39 nm) can be generated (it room temperature. Furthermore, the FBG in the HiBi fiber offers flexibility for selection of the laser wavelength. By adjusting a polarization controller, the laser can be switched between the stable single- or dual-wavelength losing operations. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.