Ultra-narrow linewidth fiber laser with self-injection feedback based on Rayleigh backscattering

Abstract

Abstract-A single longitudinal mode fiber laser with ultra-narrow linewidth based on self-injection feedback by using the linewidth compress mechanism of Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) are proposed and demonstrated. Since the linewidth of RBS is narrower than that of the incident light in optical fibers and they have the same centre wavelength, the RBS can act as a mechanism to compress the linewidth of the incident light in fiber ring laser. In addition, more RBS signal could be collected to help further compress the laser linewidth besides the free spectral range is expanded when the self-injection feedback method is used. Our experimental results show that the side-mode suppression ratio of our laser is up to 75dB and the laser linewidth could be low to ~130Hz.Index Terms-fiber laser, single longitudinal mode, ultra-narrow linewidth, self-injection feedback, Rayleigh backscattering.