Tunable and switchable multi-wavelength dissipative soliton generation in a graphene oxide mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

We report the generation of tunable single-, switchable and tunable dual-, and stable triple-wavelength dissipative solitons (DSs) in an all-normal-dispersion mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser based on a graphene-oxide saturable absorber (GOSA) without additional components (such as optical filter, or fiber grating). The tunable single-wavelength DS have a wide wavelength-tunable range of 16.4 nm. The dual-wavelength DSs not only have a wavelength-tunable range (about 10 nm) but also have variable wavelength spacing (3.8-13.8 nm). The formation dynamics of the triple-wavelength DSs was also investigated experimentally. The different operations of tunable single-, switchable and tunable dual-, and stable triple-wavelength DSs depend on the strength of the cavity birefringence. The simple, compact all-fiber DS laser with lasing wavelength tunability and flexibility can meet great potential for applications. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America