Passively mode-locked erbium fiber laser synchronized to clock using vertical-cavity semiconductor modulator driven optically with the 1.54-/spl mu/m laser diode

Robust synchronization of a passively mode-locked fiber laser to an optical clock based on gain-switched semiconductor laser diode has been achieved. Owing to high nonlinear response of vertical-cavity semiconductor reflecting modulator, the locking mechanism is efficient and would allow for reliable synchronization of passively mode-locked laser at high harmonics. The clock is built entirely of standard telecom-grade components