Wavelength and Repetition-Rate Tunable Mode-Locked Semiconductor-Seed-Source for Yb-Fiber-Amplifier Systems

We present a wavelength and repetition-rate tunable passively mode-locked semiconductor-seed-source for ytterbium-doped fiber amplifiers (YDFAs). Ultrashort pulses 2-6 ps in duration are generated over a broad tuning range of 1030-1090 nm, while passive harmonic mode-locking permits pulse repetition rates to vary from 500 MHz to over 5 GHz. We compare the amplification characteristics under fundamental and eighth harmonic mode-locking using a single-mode YDFA.