MEMS-Based Tunable Linear-Cavity Fiber Laser

A novel tunable fiber laser employing a linear cavity in conjunction with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The MEMS-based fiber laser can be tuned over a broad wavelength range while maintaining a high side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR). Experimental results demonstrate a continuously tunable fiber laser source with a tuning range as high as 30 nm and a narrow linewidth below 0.06 nm and much higher output power in comparison with ring-cavity-based fiber lasers. The laser performance is also compared with that of a ring-cavity fiber laser, and experimental results confirm that the linear-cavity fiber laser exhibits higher gain efficiency, higher laser output power, and narrower linewidth.