Mode-locking of fiber lasers via nonlinear mode-coupling

Abstract

We consider mode-locking in optical fiber lasers where the pulse propagation is strongly influenced by a nonlinear mode-coupling interaction. This nonlinear coupling in conjunction with the cubic Kerr nonlinearity and chromatic dispersion leads to the formation of attracting soliton states, i.e. dissipative solitons. A review of each model is given with an evaluation of its merit and mode-locking features.