Dynamics of solitons in NOLM based all-normal dispersion Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser

•In terms of adjusting the splitting ratio f and cavity length L of the NOLM, self-similar pulse (SSP), soliton molecule (SM), DSR, DS and dissipative soliton pair (DSP) can be obtained in such fiber laser system.•Found that the parameter Pmax defined by us is the main factor that determines the type of solitons generated in the laser.•Investigated the nonlinear dynamics in the process of the transformation between these solitons.•Discussed the mechanisms and characteristics of these solitons. The properties of the saturable absorber are critical to the soliton dynamics in the all-normal dispersion Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser based on the nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). In this paper, it is found that by adjusting the splitting ratio f and cavity length L of the NOLM, self-similar pulse (SSP), soliton molecule (SM), dissipative soliton resonance (DSR), dissipative soliton (DS) and dissipative soliton pair (DSP) can be obtained in such fiber laser system. In addition, the mechanisms and characteristics of these solitons are discussed. These findings will facilitate the in-depth understanding of the characteristics of nonlinear pulses generated by NOLM-based all-normal dispersion Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser.