Self-optimizing additive pulse mode-locked fiber laser: wavelength tuning and selective operation in continuous-wave or mode-locked regime

Additive pulsed-mode mode-locked fiber lasers are known for their wide range of operating states, which can be achieved by tuning the artificial saturable absorber with built-in polarization controllers. We have equipped our laser with three motorized polarization controllers and online monitoring. We recorded three dimensional high-resolution maps of the oscillation states by stepping trough all possible polarization controller settings. In addition, we demonstrate the single and multi-objective optimization by a genetic algorithm of the fiber laser towards a desired operating state. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of multi-objective optimization of a fiber laser. Doing so, we can selectively operate the cavity in pulsed and continuous-wave mode and tune the wavelength of the laser emission by more than 55 nm. The high wavelength tunability is possible because the polarization controllers and the inline-polarizer act as a tunable birefringent filter.