Pulsed fiber laser using micro-electro-mechanical mirrors

Two different types of micromirrors are integrated with a fiber laser to mo dulate the cavity Q-factor. Both systems operate at frequencies up to 60 kH z and generate a pulse peak power 100 times higher than the continuous emis sion. We simulate the emitted pulses and find a good agreement with the mea sured value for the period of relaxation oscillations. The simulations also show the necessity of a shorter rise time of the Q-factor modulation to ac hieve one single giant and narrow Q-switched pulse, (C) 1999 Society of Pho to-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(99)01204-0].