Nanotube-mode-locked linear-cavity fiber laser delivering switchable ultrafast solitons

We propose a linear-cavity switchable fiber laser based on a single-wall carbon nanotube mode-locker for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Two chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) in series and an optical circulator are employed as end mirrors of the linear cavity. The linear-cavity fiber laser is simple and cost-efficient. By adjusting the polarization controllers, a switchable mode-locking operation is obtained at 1551.3 and 1557.9 nm respectively, corresponding to the central wavelengths of two series-wound CFBGs. The pulse duration and spectral bandwidth of ultrafast solitons are ~4.4 ps and ~0.65 nm for the short wavelength operation at 1551.3 nm and ~3.9 ps and ~0.71 nm for the long wavelength operation at 1557.9 nm, respectively. Our experimental observations are well confirmed by the numerical results. The linear-cavity all-fiber laser reduces the cost and is very attractive for ultrafast optics.