2 μm self-sweeping fiber laser oscillator for LIDAR applications

Abstract

We report on a Tm-doped self-sweeping fiber laser operating at 2 μm spectral range with a stabilized pulse repetition rate. Lasers with self-induced wavelength sweeping are bright alternative to narrow-band tunable laser sources. One disadvantage of self-sweeping lasers is fluctuations in the pulse repetition rate. In this paper for the purpose of optimization of intensity dynamics, the technique for pulse train shaping with acousto-optical modulator synchronized with laser pulses is proposed and demonstrated. Synchronization of the AOM frequency with the laser pulses allowed us to improve pulse train stability and reduce relative stability error down to 1%. The developed self-sweeping laser brings up new possibilities for remote gas analysis and LIDAR applications.