Optimization of pulse compression with an unbalanced nonlinear optical loop mirror

Pulse compression and pedestal suppression can be realized simultaneously b y employing an unbalanced nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). Only if the optimal conditions of soliton compression for the pulse with high initial power in the NOLM are satisfied and the asymmetrical attenuation in the NOL M is optimized can the transform-limited and pedestal-free narrow pulse be obtained. Utilizing this technique, nearly transform-limited and pedestal-f ree similar to 3 ps pulses with 1.5 GHz repetition rate were obtained exper imentally. The experimental results verified the optimization criteria of t he NOLM compressor. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.