Dual wavelength generation and wavelength tunability in Yb-doped mode-locked laser using few-mode fiber as a saturable absorber

In this research, we demonstrate wavelength tunability and dual wavelength generation in all-fiber ytterbium (Yb)-doped mode-locked laser using a single mode–few-mode–single mode fiber (SMF–FMF–SMF) combination act as a saturable absorber (SA). The all-fiber SA exhibits high modulation depth of 34.53% and a saturation intensity of 9.17 MW/cm2. The SMF–FMF–SMF structure encompasses an inherent filtering along with SA property. By combining the tunable intra-cavity birefringence of the laser with the SA features result in dual-wavelength generation and wavelength tunability. Thus, the tuning of center wavelength of output spectrum from 1028.88 through 1076.18 nm, with the compressed pulse widths from 319 to 324 fs respectively, is achieved. Besides, the generated dual-wavelength is switched from 1033.32/1058.2 nm to 1049.7/1075.7 nm, respectively. These results indicate that an all-fiber SMF–FMF–SMF structure is a potential SA element for wavelength tunability and dual-wavelength mode-locking in Yb-doped fiber lasers, which can be used for nonlinear microscopy, bio-degradable material processing and terahertz spectroscopy. •Combining SMF–FMF–SMF based SA with varying cavity birefringence results in wavelength tuning.•Dual wavelength generation is switched from 1033.32/1058.2 nm to 1049.7/1075.7 nm.•Broad band wavelength tunability is achieved for pulses of less than 324 fs.