Subsideband generation and modulational instability lasing in a fiber soliton laser

We experimentally observed two forms of subsideband generation in the solit on spectrum of a passively mode-locked fiber soliton ring laser. We found t hat the different forms of subsideband generation are related to the differ ent strengths of the saturable absorption in the laser cavity. Analyzing fe aturing of the subsideband generations, we show that they are both modulati onal-instability lasings of the dispersive waves in the laser. (C) 2001 Opt ical Society of America.