Design optimization of all-optical actively mode-locked ring laser based on cross-gain modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier

A complete and detailed model is presented that describes the main physical phenomena that occur in an actively mode-locked fiber ring laser based on cross-gain modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier employed as both the gain medium and mode-locking element. The relationship between key laser parameters and the output pulse characteristics is numerically analyzed to provide simple design rules and derive a set of necessary operational conditions. The adoption of these rules and the satisfaction of these conditions enables the optimization of the laser performance and the generation of short and high energy mode-locked output pulses.