Single- and dual-wavelength switchable erbium-doped fiber ring laser based on intracavity polarization selective tilted fiber gratings

We propose and demonstrate a single- and dual-wavelength switchable erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) by utilizing intracavity polarization selective filters based on tilted fiber gratings (TFGs). In the cavity, one 45 degrees TFG functions as an in-fiber polarizer and the other 77 degrees TFG is used as a fiber polarization dependent loss (PDL) filter. The combined polarization effect from these two TFGs enables the laser to switch between the single- and the dual-wavelength operation with a single-polarization state at room temperature. The laser output at each wavelength shows an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of >600, a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of >500, and a polarization extinction ratio of similar to 35 dB. The proposed EDFL can give stable output under laboratory conditions. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America