Effect of higher order nonlinear dispersion on ultrashort pulse evolution in a fiber laser

Theoretical simulations have been carried out to achieve ultrafast pulse ge neration in an all-fiber laser known as a figure-of-eight laser. (F8L). It is observed that the higher order nonlinear dispersions play a vital role i n determining the stability of the output pulse on a femtosecond (fs) time scale. Best fit parameters for F8L to generate pulses as short as 420 fs ar e reported here. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.