Vector solitons in a laser passively mode-locked by single-wall carbon nanotubes

Polarization Rotation Locked Vector Solitons (PRLVSs) are experimentally observed for the first time in a fiber ring laser passively mode-locked by a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) saturable absorber. Period-doubling of these solitons at certain birefringence values has also been observed. We show that fine adjustment to the intracavity birefringence can swing the PRLVSs from period-doubled to period-one state without simultaneous reduction in the pump strength. The timing jitter for both states has also been measured experimentally and discussed analytically using the theoretical framework provided by the Haus model. ► Period-doubling of vector solitons is observed. ► Period-doubled Polarization Rotation Locked Vector Solitons observed for the first time. ► Timing jitter of period-doubling and period-one states of PRLVSs compared.