Switchable and multi-wavelength linear fiber laser based on Fabry-Perot and Mach-Zehnder interferometers

In this manuscript, switchable and multi-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser arrangement, based on Fabry-Perot (FPI) and Mach-Zehnder (MZI) interferometers is presented. Here, the FPI is composed by two air-microcavities set into the tip of conventional single mode fiber, this one is used as a partially reflecting mirror and lasing modes generator. And the MZI fabricated by splicing a segment of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) between a single-mode fiber section, was set into an optical fiber loop mirror that acts as full-reflecting and wavelength selective filter. Both interferometers, promotes a cavity oscillation into the fiber laser configuration, besides by curvature applied over the MZI, the fiber laser generates: single, double, triple and quadruple laser emissions with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 30 dB. These laser emissions can be switching between them from 1525 nm to 1534 nm by adjusting the curvature radius over the MZI. This laser fiber offers a wavelength and power stability at room temperature, compactness and low implementation cost. Moreover the linear laser proposed can be used in several fields such as spectroscopy, telecommunications and fiber optic sensing systems. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.