Dual-polarization optical pulse generation using a mode-locked two-arm external cavity diode laser

The generation of two synchronized pulse trains of orthogonal state of polarization by active mode-lockings of a single dual-polarization diode laser is reported. The external cavity concept allows separate tuning of the TE and the TM wavelength over more than 20 nm. Pulses having a duration of less than 60 ps and a time-bandwidth product around 0.9 have been obtained. The relative timing between the TE and TM pulse could be adjusted by modifying the external cavity length. Employing the frequency multiplication technique, pulse trains of different repetition rate for TE and TM have been realized. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.