Coexistence of polarization-locked and polarization-rotating vector solitons in a fiber laser with SESAM

We report the experimental observation of the coexistence of polarization-locked vector solitons (PLVSs) and polarization-rotating vector solitons (PRVSs) in a fiber laser mode locked with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. It was found experimentally that interaction between the PLVSs in a fiber laser could lead to formation of bound states of PRVSs. Moreover, the bound PRVSs as a unit have the same group velocity as that of the PLVSs in the cavity.