Nonlinear multimodal interference as ultrafast photonic device for dual-wavelength DW dark pulse generation

Abstract In comparison to bright pulses, better stability that is not susceptible to loss makes dark pulses accessible for applications in such fields as signal processing, optics sensing, and quantum communication. Here we investigate the dual-wavelength domain-wall dark pulse generation in a graded-index multimode fiber (GIMF) based anomalous dispersion single-mode fiber (SMF) laser. By optimizing intra-cavity nonlinearity and pulse polarization, the mode-locked states can evolve each other between bright pulses, dark pulses, and bright-dark pulse pairs. The evolution mechanism among them may be relevant to the coherent mode superposition, spectral filtering, and mode selection in SMF-GIMF-SMF hybrid-fiber modulation devices that affect the pulse formation and evolution in temporal, frequency, and space domains. These results provide a valuable reference for promoting further development of nonlinear optics and ultrafast optics, in which ultrafast photonic devices, with low cost, simple manufacture as well as wide adaptability, as novel pulsed generation technique, play a vital role.