Theoretical analysis of the operating regime of a passively-mode-locked fiber laser through nonlinear polarization rotation

The dynamics of a fiber laser passively mode-locked through nonlinear polarization rotation is theoretically investigated. The model is based on an iterative equation for the nonlinear polarization rotation and the phase plates and on a scalar differential equation for the gain, the Kerr nonlinearity, and the dispersion. It is demonstrated that depending on the orientation of the phase plates, the laser can be continuous, mode-locked, or Q-switched. In the latter case, an additional equation for the gain dynamics must be taken into account. Hysteresis dependence of the operating regime versus the orientation angles of the phase plates is shown. A large bistability domain between the Q-switch and the continuous regimes is demonstrated. This model allows us to obtain the main features observed in passively-mode-locked fiber lasers.